Batten down the hatches: ‘Damaging wind event’ prompts warning for western Alberta

A wind warning was issued by Environment Canada (EC) for a sliver of western Alberta on Friday.

“A damaging wind event is set to hit southwestern Alberta,” the federal agency said. “A low-pressure system will move into northern Alberta on Saturday, resulting in a Chinook wind event in southwestern Alberta. Westerly winds may gust in excess of 120 km/h, especially Saturday afternoon and evening.”

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READ MORE: Winter weather forecast: What Canadians can expect from coast to coast

The following areas are affected by the warning:

• Cardston – Fort Macleod – Magrath
• Crowsnest Pass – Pincher Creek – Waterton Lakes National Park
• Hinton – Grande Cache
• Kananaskis – Canmore
• Nordegg – Forestry Trunk Road Highway 734
• Okotoks – High River – Claresholm
• Banff National Park

EC said these types of warnings are issued when the risk of damaging winds are significant.

For a complete list of Alberta areas that are under a weather alert of some kind, click here.

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