Another change in weather patterns is underway in the Edmonton region. On Monday morning, snow and strong winds led to near-zero visibility on some Edmonton-area highways. And with colder weather on the way, the City of Edmonton has activated its extreme weather response.
A blowing snow advisory was in effect for Edmonton Monday, as well as many surrounding areas stretching from Spruce Grove and Stony Plain to the Saskatchewan border. Blowing snow advisories were also in place for areas north and south of Edmonton.
Blowing snow advisories are issued when winds are expected to create blowing snow, leading to poor visibility of 800 metres or less for at least three hours.
The advisories were dropped in the Edmonton region just after noon, with the rest of the blowing snow advisories lifted later Monday afternoon.
Strong wind gusts of 70 to 80 km/h were expected Monday morning. The weather conditions led to blowing and drifting snow, near-zero visibility and slippery road conditions.
South of Edmonton, drivers were advised against non-essential travel on the QEII Highway between Ponoka and Edmonton.
RCMP said road conditions are believed to be a factor in a couple of collisions in Leduc County Monday morning.
Just after 9:30 a.m., RCMP responded to a serious two-vehicle collision in the area of Highway 814 and Township Road 502. Police said a second collision then happened in the same area.
Police said a pickup truck heading north collided head on with a southbound SUV. The 75-year-old Beaumont man driving the pickup was assessed for injuries on scene and released.
The 29-year-old Edmonton woman driving the SUV was taken to hospital with minor injuries.
In the second collision, police said emergency vehicles collided. Three people in the ambulance were taken to hospital as a precaution.
Drivers were also asked to delay non-essential travel in parts of northern and central Alberta due to blowing snow. RCMP said Highway 2 from Ponoka to St. Albert was experiencing icy, blizzard conditions.
“A number of collisions have been reported near Morinville, Redwater, Vegreville, Alta. and throughout this area as well in the east with whiteout conditions reported in and around Hanna,” RCMP said in a news release just after 9 a.m.
Vegreville RCMP said there were multiple collisions on Highway 16 near Range Road 135, east of the town.
Police said minor injuries were reported in a collision involving three semi-tractor trailers and one passenger car. Several vehicles were also stuck in the ditch.
One westbound lane of Highway 16 was blocked by collisions, RCMP said shortly before 2 p.m., but added both lanes will likely be affected as crews clean up the collision site. Traffic will be diverted around the scene.
“The roads are reported to be very icy, as well as very low visibility due to high winds and blowing snow,” Vegreville RCMP said, adding travel in the area is not recommended.
Global Edmonton weather specialist Mike Sobel said two to four centimetres of snow were expected in the Edmonton area Monday. The wind was expected to die down Monday afternoon.
Snowfall warnings were also in place for areas northeast of Edmonton, in the Bonnyville, St. Paul and Cold Lake areas. Ten to 15 centimetres of snow is forecast in those areas.
Cold weather prompts extreme weather response
Temperatures are also going to dip this week, dropping to -16 C in Edmonton Monday. Tuesday’s high is forecast to reach -17 C in Edmonton, with highs of -15 C and -14 C expected Wednesday and Thursday.
Overnight temperatures are expected to dip into the mid-minus 20s in the coming days. Because of that, the city has activated its extreme weather response to keep vulnerable people safe.
Transportation
- Edmonton Transit Service (ETS) will add capacity to its shuttle service that connects transit centres, emergency shelters and other critical locations. The service runs between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. ETS continues to allow people who choose not to stay in a shelter to remain on the bus to keep warm for the duration of the service.
Expanded overnight shelter
- Commonwealth Stadium Shelter and Spectrum Shelter will both increase shelter capacity from 150 to 200 beds.
Day services/shelter
- Boyle Street Community Services will increase day shelter capacity to 75 people between 8:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.
The extreme weather response will stay in place until the weather improves, according to the city.
Edmonton is expected to warm up by the end of the week, with temperatures expected to reach highs of -1 C Friday, 0 C Saturday and 3 C Sunday.
Keep up to date on the road conditions by following 511 Alberta.
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