Update: Jan. 17 7:53 a.m.
The wind warning has now ended for central Alberta. A blowing snow advisory remains in effect for the southeast corner of the province.
Poor visibility in snow and blowing snow continues across southern Alberta, along with very strong winds.
Northwest winds gusting up to 90 km/h will combine with falling snow to give poor visibility.
Conditions will improve by mid-morning.
Travel is expected to be hazardous due to reduced visibility in some locations.
Be prepared to adjust your driving with changing road conditions.
If visibility is reduced while driving, slow down, watch for tail lights ahead and be prepared to stop.
Click here for road conditions.
Original Story: Jan 16 9 a.m.
Environment Canada had issued a wind warning for Central Alberta with strong winds expected throughout the day.
The wind will become west 60 km/h gusting to 80 km/h this morning, then northwest 30 km/h gusting to 50 km/h this afternoon. There is also a chance of flurries or rain showers later this morning into early afternoon. The high for Thursday is around plus two.
"We have a low-pressure system spinning up in northwestern Alberta right now," explained meteorologist Erin Staunton. "What's causing most of the weather in the Red Deer area is a developing cold front that's going to sweep down through much of the province today."
A second round of strong winds is expected to return to the area tonight. We'll see north winds of 70 km/h gusting to 90 km/h tonight before they taper off after midnight.
A couple of centimetres of snow is also expected to fall this evening. The combination of strong winds and snow may cause poor visibility in some areas due to blowing snow. The low tonight is around minus nine.
"If we do see that snow and blowing snow through the area that could cause some poor visibility on area highways," said Staunton. "Maybe just give yourself a little bit of extra time to get to where you need to be this evening."
The winds are expected to weaken by Friday morning.
Loose objects may be tossed by the wind and cause injury or damage. Motorists, especially in high profile vehicles, may expect hazardous driving conditions on highways subject to strong cross winds. Be prepared to adjust your driving with changing road conditions due to high winds.
A snow squall watch is in effect for areas of Ponoka County and the County of Wetaskiwin.
A narrow band of snow squalls is expected to develop this morning, producing brief but intense snowfall, poor visibility and gusty winds to 80 km/h.
Snow squalls cause weather conditions to vary considerably; changes from clear skies to heavy snow within just a few kilometres are common. Travel may be hazardous due to sudden changes in the weather.
Visibility may be reduced to near zero at times.
"The primary concern here is just poor visibility, very suddenly poor visibility," remarked Staunton. "As the cold front sweeps through Alberta today, we are expecting a band of pretty intense snow to move through some of the areas north of Red Deer."
Temperatures are expected to plunge starting Friday night with a low of around minus 24. The high for Saturday is minus 21 with a low of minus 30. Sunday's high is minus 20 with a low of minus 32.
We'll get some relief on Monday as temperatures warm up to around minus 11.
Central Alberta could hit plus one by Tuesday.
For the latest forecast click here.
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