Snowfall warning ends for City of Calgary

WATCH ABOVE: Global’s Jayme Doll explains how drivers are still unprepared for driving during winter

CALGARY –A snowfall warning has ended for the city of Calgary. Up to 15 cm of snow was expected to fall in the city and surrounding areas, with the icy cold weather expected to last for another few days.

Temperatures began to drop on Thursday evening, quickly falling to -19°C overnight.

On Friday, Environment Canada issued a special weather statement for Calgary just before 5 a.m., warning of brisk northerly winds which could cause blowing and drifting snow in open areas.

Calgary’s seven day weather forecast

RCMP Blackfalds advised of poor road conditions on Highway 2 between Innisfail and Blackfalds. Travel is not recommended because of icy conditions and poor visibility, as well as multiple vehicle collisions.

RCMP advises drivers to avoid the QEII between Edmonton and Calgary altogether. But if you do have to drive that route, be prepared. Have an emergency kit in your vehicle that includes warm clothing in case you end up stranded.

“That’s winter in Alberta and you’ve got to be prepared for changing conditions when you’re travelling on the highways. Especially if you’re travelling on the QEII because usually you’re travelling over such a large distance and conditions change. So be aware of that.” warned Cpt. Darren Turnbull of Airdrie RCMP.

If you are travelling west to the mountain parks, be careful because there is low visibility on roads. There’s also an avalanche risk in Banff and Jasper, rated high for this weekend.

RCMP said there was a series of collisions on QEII northbound at the Olds overpass near Highway 27 by Friday afternoon.  Collisions and road conditions caused traffic to be at a standstill from the Didsbury overpass to the collision sites.

The high on Friday is anticipated to be a brisk -18°C, with a wind chill making it feel more like -31°C.

Wind chill is a way of measuring  how humans perceive the temperature.

“It’s a calculated index of the temperature and wind speed,” says Meteorologist Jordan Witzel. “Colder temperatures and stronger winds create more severe wind chill values.”

Colder temperatures will continue on Saturday with a forecast high of just -20°C.

However, the weather is expected to gradually warm up next week.