A ferocious spring storm has swept across Alberta, delivering a punishing combination of howling winds, heavy snow, and dangerously icy conditions that have brought parts of the province to a standstill.
From the oilsands region north of Fort McMurray to Calgary's bustling streets, the storm has left a trail of damage and disruption. Roofs have been peeled off buildings, trees uprooted, highways closed to traffic, and hundreds of motorists stranded in their vehicles for hours as visibility plummeted.
Northern Alberta Hit Hardest
Fort McMurray residents and travellers faced the brunt of the system, with the RCMP shutting down multiple roads due to whiteout conditions and hazardous driving. The area south of the city could see up to 50 centimetres of snow accumulate, prompting Environment Canada to advise against all non-essential travel.
A blowing snow advisory stretches across much of eastern Alberta, from Athabasca to the province's southeast corner, with near-zero visibility creating treacherous conditions for anyone venturing outside.
Calgary and Edmonton in Storm's Grip
Calgary experienced wind gusts approaching 90 kilometres per hour, with the violent winds toppling trees, flipping semi-trucks, and tearing roofs from structures across the city. The extreme conditions forced organizers to cancel the "Parade of Wonders," the highly anticipated kick-off event for Calgary's annual Comic Expo.
In Edmonton, Friday morning's commute turned treacherous as drivers navigated snow, ice, and powerful winds. Multiple vehicles ended up in ditches or collided on roadways as motorists struggled with dangerous conditions.
A Cold Weekend Ahead
Calgary is forecast to receive up to four centimetres of snow with Saturday's high reaching only -3°C, while Edmonton expects close to 10 centimetres with a similar temperature. These figures sit dramatically below the normal daytime high of 14°C for this time of year.
"It's not looking like the best weekend," Global Calgary weather specialist Sarah Offin said. "The challenge is this system is really just staying put. It's a slow-moving system and because of that, we're going to see these effects of this storm lingering. There's also, of course, an arctic wind that is involved with this system. So a cold weekend in store."
Environment Canada has warned that the combination of heavy snow and gusty winds could produce near-zero visibility and hazardous driving conditions across affected areas.
Relief in Sight
The good news? Relief is coming. By next week, Alberta can expect a return to more seasonable spring temperatures. Monday's high is forecast around 5°C for both Calgary and Edmonton, climbing to the mid-teens by Thursday as the system moves out and warmer air returns.
This article is based on reporting from Global Calgary.