UPDATE: RCMP have closed Highway 3 between Coleman, Alta. and Sparwood, B.C. due to poor weather and zero visibility. It is not known when the highway will reopen.
CALGARY – Environment Canada has issued a snowfall warning for several areas in southern Alberta, including Airdrie, Cochrane, Olds and Sundre.
A low pressure system crossing southern British Columbia will bring heavy snow to southwestern Alberta, and Environment Canada expects that 10 to 15 centimeters of snow will fall by Tuesday night.
Snow will begin to taper off later in the evening as the low pressure system moves into Saskatchewan. The alert also includes a snowfall warning for mountain parks such as Kananaskis, Canmore Banff, Crowsnest Pass, Pincher Creek and Waterton Lakes Nation Park.
The blizzard-like conditions wreaked havoc on Alberta highways, prompting travel advisories from RCMP. Drivers were urged to avoid Highway 2 south of High River, after a semi jack knifed near Cayley. There were also two other incidents involving semis, on the same stretch of highway.
It was also a slow go on Calgary roads, prompting city road crews to hit the streets in full force.
“All of our crews are out there now concentrating on priority one routes and major roads that carry over 20 thousand vehicles per day,” said Carissa Vescio from the City of Calgary. “We are using a mixture called pickle because of the cold temperatures, that’s a combination of salt and gravel and sand that prevents the snow and ice from sticking.”
Temperatures are expected to warm up, beginning on Thursday.
CLICK HERE for more information on public weather alerts in Alberta.
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