People across Edmonton were bracing for another winter storm set to roll in Friday and Saturday.
A winter storm warning was in effect Friday morning for much of central and southern Alberta, including the city of Edmonton. However, it was changed to a snowfall warning at 3:30 p.m.
“Heavy snowfall has stalled out over southern Alberta but will continue to move slowly northeast towards the Edmonton region this evening,” Environment Canada said. “Snowfall, with total amounts of 10 centimetres is expected by the time snow tapers off Sunday morning. Easterly winds of 30 gusting to 50 km/h may result in localized blowing snow tonight.
“Total snowfall accumulations are less than previously forecast due to the delayed onset of heavy snow,” the agency added.
“For Edmonton, this has always been an event expected to impact late-day travel plans in our area,” Global Edmonton meteorologist Jesse Beyer said Friday.
“The overnight snow may also impact city streets and area highways Saturday morning.
“Edmonton should be on the low end of the 10-15 centimetre range by the end of Sunday.”
READ MORE: Winter storm warning for central Alberta, Edmonton due to ‘intense Pacific system’
Edmonton road crews will deploy nearly 200 pieces of equipment this weekend and are reminding motorists to stay back.
“Give our people and the equipment they’re operating room to work for everyone’s safety,” Andrew Grant, the city’s general supervisor for field operations, said.
“If you see a group of plows, give them room,” he said. “Don’t pass them. They will eventually pull over and let citizens by. It creates an unsafe environment when drivers try to pass our plows.”
Grant said the city has 130 sanders and plow trucks, 20 graders and 30 sidewalk plows ready if needed once the snow begins to fall. Contracted graders may also be called into action.
Watch below: Nearly 200 pieces of equipment are expected to be deployed this weekend to clear city streets of snow. As Kim Smith reports, the people who run those machines have an important message for drivers.
Sometimes, on major roads like Whitemud Drive, motorists might see several plows in a row.
“They do try and get in between or they’ll pass on the shoulders to try and get around the convoy of plows,” Grant said.
“It’s important that we get the message out there and Edmontonians understand the hazards associated with trying to get through the convoy of plows and passing on the shoulders.”
Between Oct. 15, 2017 and March 1, 2018, there have been 30 rear-end collisions involving snow plows on Alberta highways, according to the Alberta Roadbuilders & Heavy Construction Association (ARHCA). The group said there were also 10 other “contacts” and two near misses.
“It’s surprising and disappointing,” Ronald Glen, Chief Executive Officer with ARHCA, said. “Slow down because you can come up on a snow plow very quickly and very suddenly because they’re travelling a lot slower.”
“You’re in a vehicle and you’re travelling at 100 km/h and you hit a plow that’s travelling 75 (km/h), a 35 or 25-kilometre-per-hour strike is like running into a brick wall. So they are usually injury collisions,” Glen said.
Watch: Here’s Tina Simpkin’s Friday, March 2, 2018 early afternoon weather forecast for Edmonton, Alberta and the surrounding area.
READ MORE: Heavy snow creating challenging conditions for Alberta drivers
The Calgary region got slammed by wintery conditions early Friday morning.
A section of Highway 1 eastbound at Old Banff Coach Road was closed for a few hours due to earlier reports of collisions and cars in the ditch.
READ MORE: Highway 1 eastbound at Old Banff Coach Road open after closure: police
For a complete list of weather warnings, watches and advisories in Alberta, click here.
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