Editor’s note: This story has been corrected to clarify no official snowfall record has been broken.
Heavy snow made for a rough commute for Alberta drivers on Friday.
RCMP advised motorists to avoid Highway 2 between Veterans Blvd in Airdrie south to the Calgary city limits on Friday afternoon due to reports of vehicle collisions.
The southbound lanes of the highway were reduced to a single lane, RCMP said in a news release.
Stoney Trail N.E. between 16 Avenue N.E. and Peigan Trail S.E. was closed Friday morning due to icy conditions but, as of 12:30 p.m., had been re-opened.
Calgary police said late Friday afternoon it was investigating a serious collision that happened on Stoney Trail near the Peigan Trail S.E. intersection.
According to police, the driver of a car was taken to hospital in serious condition after losing control and hitting a concrete bridge support.
Weather is being considered a factor in the collision.
Most of the province was under various weather warnings throughout Friday. Calgary was under a snowfall warning with at least 10 to 20 centimetres expected to hit the city.
A winter storm warning was in effect for most of northern Alberta, including Edmonton.
Global News weather specialist Jodi Hughes said the difference between a snowfall warning and a winter storm warning is the severity of the weather.
“In this case, a little more snow, plus stronger easterly winds which will affect visibility from blowing snow,” she said. “More snow is expected north of Red Deer.”
So the farther north you go, the worse the conditions, she added.
Calgary usually sees about 15 centimetres of snow in February but was hit with 43.5 centimetres.
Global News reporter Doug Vaessen reports the city is considering a snow-route parking ban to help clear the roads.
Calgary police received reports of 211 collisions between midnight and 4 p.m. Friday. Fifteen of those resulted in injuries.
You can see a complete list of watches and warnings on Environment Canada’s website.
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