Freezing rain fell overnight across central Alberta, leaving area highways treacherous and some closed Wednesday morning in the Edmonton region.
Special weather statements were issued for much of central Alberta, including Edmonton and Calgary, Tuesday afternoon due to freezing rain.
The special weather statements were issued by Environment Canada just after 3 p.m. for areas of the province stretching as far north as Grande Prairie and Slave Lake, down south to the Brooks and Medicine Hat regions.
Mixed precipitation with a freezing rain risk was possible in the affected areas Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning, according to the weather agency.
As of 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, the freezing rain warnings were lifted for the majority of the province, including the city of Edmonton. The warnings remained in effect for some areas in east-central Alberta.
All warnings were lifted shortly before 12:30 p.m.
Global Edmonton chief meteorologist Jesse Beyer said similar to the freezing rain event in the city nearly two weeks ago, a cold and dry airmass was being replaced with warm, moist Pacific air.
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“As the Pacific airmass moves farther east, it will warm the upper layers enough to produce liquid rain,” Beyer said Tuesday afternoon. “The timing of this precipitation event could see that liquid rainfall landing on a below-zero surface, freezing on contact.”
The greatest potential for freezing rain was in the areas between Whitecourt and Edmonton, according to Environment Canada.
The weather agency said the potential for freezing rain in the Red Deer and Calgary regions was there, but less likely. And travel could be impacted if freezing rain does occur.
Beyer said while much of the area under the special weather statement would not be affected, all regions under the statement had a chance of seeing freezing rain.
Beyer said the freezing rain would be patchy, with some models suggesting anywhere from two to three millimetres of rain for some areas under the statement.
Roads, sidewalks and parking lots may be slippery as a result.
“The rain-snow mix is looking to make its way over Edmonton around midnight, but our risk of precipitation does remain past dawn,” Global Edmonton weather specialist Phil Darlington added.
“We are looking at the possibility of a bit of light snow too; no major accumulation, however, icy surfaces may become obscured by fresh snow.”
Less than two weeks ago, freezing rain had a major impact on the morning commute in Edmonton and surrounding areas.
Edmonton Transit bus service was suspended for period of time on the morning of Thursday, Nov. 25.
Flights were also put on hold at the Edmonton International Airport for a period of time due to icy runways.
For up-to-date road conditions, follow 511 Alberta on social media.
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