Large portions of Alberta are under a weather alert. Photo by Stephen Strand
Large portions of Alberta are under at least one weather alert today.
The area surrounding Calgary, from Cochrane in the west to Chancellor in the east, and to Gull Lake in the north is under a Blowing Snow alert.
Poor visibility is expected today, as there will be falling snow combined with gusty winds from the north.
The Highway 2 corridor between Calgary and Red Deer, as well as the Highway 1 corridor east of Calgary, are most likely to be impacted.
On top of that, there is a risk of freezing rain this morning.
Conditions in this area are expected to improve this evening, and Environment Canada advises people to consider postponing any non-essential travel until the conditions improve.
It is recommended to drive with lights on, slow down, and maintain a safe following distance.
To the area east and northeast of Calgary is under a Winter Storm warning.
This area stretches from north of Huxley in the north to just north of Medicine Hat in the south, and from east of Chancellor in the west to the Saskatchewan/Alberta border in the east.
Due to the winter storm, there will be poor visibility.
On top of blowing snow in this area, there will be strong wind gusts upwards of 100 km/hr in some areas.
Freezing rain in this area is also possible this morning.
There is also the likelihood that a sharp temperature drop will occur, with it dropping as much as 15 degrees in three hours.
For the areas between Highway 9 and Highway 1, any remaining slush or puddling water is likely to freeze as the temperature drops rapidly this afternoon.
Travel in this area will likely be challenging, and road closures are possible.
Southern Alberta from Calgary to the U.S. border is under a wind warning, as strong wind gusts are expected.
The area directly south of Calgary, from Kananaskis Village in the west to the Saskatchewan border to the east, and from the south side of Calgary in the north to just north of Stavely in the south is expected to experience westerly winds gusting upwards of 100 km/hr late this morning and this afternoon, prompting Environment Canada to issue a Wind Warning for that region.
The wind is expected to continue into the evening hours, but will weaken this evening.
Also, a rapid drop in temperature is likely to happen later this afternoon and evening.
Due to the wind, driving conditions will likely be difficult and high-sided vehicles will be pushed around by the wind.
Property damage is possible.
The most southern portion of the province from just north of Stavely in the north to the American border in the south and from the B.C./Alberta border in the west to Grassy Lake in the east is under two weather alerts.
They are also under a Wind Warning, due to westerly winds gusting upwards if 130 km/hr being likely to occur along the Highway 3 corridor between Lethbridge and the B.C. border late this morning and this afternoon.
While the wind will weaken this evening, utility outages are likely to happen, and driving conditions will likely be very difficult.
High-sided vehicles risk being overturned by the wind in the area.
This area is also under a Snowfall Warning.
Heavy snow will continue to fall over higher terrain, with a total amount of 15 to 25 cm expected to fall.
With the gusty wind expected today, it will create blowing snow, which will reduce visibility at times.
The snow will taper off this evening.
Environment Canada warns people to be prepared for quickly changing and deteriorating conditions.
To stay up to date on weather alerts in Alberta, click here.
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