EDMONTON – Edmontonians once again woke up to a blanket of fresh, white snow Friday morning, with more than five centimetres falling in and around the city.
The blast of winter made for some slick road conditions Friday morning.
The City of Edmonton says 50 trucks were sent out to sand the roads. But emergency crews were still kept busy, being called to a number of collisions in and around the city.
Police and EPCOR crews were called to the area of 137 Avenue and 68 Street after a car slammed into a light standard.
Up to five vehicles hit the ditch along the southeast leg of Anthony Henday Drive, between 50 Street and Calgary Trail, before 11 a.m.
RCMP were called to a number of collisions on Highway 2 south of Edmonton. Just after 2 p.m., southbound traffic near Lacombe was at a standstill.
READ MORE: Poor highway conditions lead to crashes on Alberta highways
For the first time in 34 years, weather forced organizers of Edmonton’s annual Way of the Cross to cut the route short.
“The roads were very slippery, and we have a lot of young families and people with mobility issues, and it was just too dangerous to have them walking. So for safety reasons we modified it and we just walked in this little one block,” said Jim Gurnett, one of the organizers.
But while the snow is an inconvenience for many, it’s particularly hard on those who live on the city’s streets.
“Thank God for places like the Bissell Centre,” said John Beaudoin. “People can come in pretty much any time and warm up.”
Staff at the Bissell Centre expected to serve upwards of 300 people Friday. While the centre is still running its winter warming hours, Beaudoin says he still has to find somewhere to keep warm overnight.
“It’s not easy. Once all the snow is gone you’re prepared for warmth,” he explained.
The Bissell Centre is open daily from 6 a.m. until 5 p.m. It reopens at 5:30 p.m. and stays open until 9 p.m.
Global News Weather Specialist Kevin O’Connell says temperatures are expected to reach a high of 9°C Saturday.
Watch below: Kevin O’Connell’s seven-day weather forecast
With files from Kendra Slugoski, Global News.