Dangerous Driving Conditions Persist on Many Alberta Highways: RCMP | The Canadian News

Hurricane force winds dominated parts of Alberta on Monday and Tuesday. That, along with the rain and snow, created poor driving conditions for many Alberta roads.

According to 511 Alberta, as of 11 a.m. Tuesday, much of the central part of the province was experiencing icy and / or snow-covered roads, with a series of semi-finals causing delays.

RCMP in Leduc, just south of Edmonton, issued a towing notice for Highway 2 from 41 Avenue to Highway 611 due to poor road conditions.

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) issued a series of wind warnings for the southern and southwestern part of the province on Monday, as well as snow warnings for areas to the west along the hills and in the north-central zone. , including Edmonton.

As of Tuesday morning, the national meteorological agency reported unofficial maximum wind gusts of:

• Warner: 126 km / h
• Waterton: 117 km / h
• Medicine Hat: 113 km / h
• Pincher Creek: 107 km / h
• Lethbridge: 96 km / h
• Calgary: 89 km / h
• Red deer: 87 km / h

To put that in perspective, based on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, A Category 1 hurricane has sustained winds of 119 to 153 km / h.

At 12:15 pm Tuesday, the weather agency lifted the wind advisory for the city of Calgary, but continued it for the western and northern areas, warning that “strong and damaging winds with gusts of up to 110 km / h will continue in parts of Alberta today. “

There were initially concerns about the potential for freezing rain in parts of Alberta depending on the temperature gradient, but the ECCC said Tuesday that the icy conditions appear to have been caused by a combination of high winds and snow on road surfaces.

Both the Parkland RCMP and the Fort Saskatchewan RCMP issued alerts Tuesday to warn motorists of poor road conditions and recommend that non-essential travel be avoided.

“Due to heavy snowfall on the morning of November 16, 2021, Parkland RCMP is responding to numerous collisions on all major roads.”

The Fort Saskatchewan RCMP made a specific note for large trucks due to strong gusts of wind and snow that create poor driving conditions.

“Large trucks are being asked to avoid commuter roads, particularly Highway 15, due to road conditions.”

Even more snow is expected in parts of the province before this weather event ends.

At 11 a.m., the weather agency reported that 10 to 15 centimeters of snow had already fallen in downtown Edmonton and the snowfall warning remains in place in anticipation of a total accumulation of up to 25 centimeters in some areas.

“The strong north winds, with gusts of up to 70 km / h, will also continue for most of the day. Visibility can be reduced by blowing snow. “

Due to road conditions, the city of Edmonton was forced to issue the first parking ban of the season that goes into effect Tuesday night.

Wind damage has been reported in Calgary in several communities.

Enmax was called to the Ramsey community for a tent that appears to have cut an electrical cable.

And the Calgary Fire Department reported that they called him to a couple different houses that had carports blown up in neighboring yards.

All warnings issued by Environment Canada indicate that conditions are expected to improve throughout Tuesday.

For the latest on road conditions, visit 511 Alberta.

For the latest alerts and warnings from Environment Canada, visit their website.

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