Drivers heading in and out of Airdrie can expect winter driving conditions again this morning, with snow-covered lanes, icy shoulders, and slippery conditions on major routes on Wednesday after overnight snowfall blanketed the region.
The QEII from the Calgary city limits to north of the Highway 2A junction was partly covered in snow, with Alberta 511 reporting slush, icy wheel paths and good visibility. Secondary conditions included icy sections and snow on the shoulder.
Inside Airdrie and south toward Calgary, conditions remained slick.
West of Calgary, Highway 22 from the junction with Highway 1A to Cremona was fully covered in snow. Alberta 511 reported snowing and slippery conditions, with packed snow and ice along the route.
Highway 1A from the Highway 22 junction to Calgary’s western edge was also snow-covered, with reports of shoulder ice, ongoing snowfall, icy sections and packed ice creating hazardous driving conditions.
While Airdrie itself was not under a snowfall warning, parts of Rocky View County to the west and southwest were still digging out under a continuing heavy snow alert Thursday morning.
Environment Canada said between 5 and 15 centimetres had already fallen in affected areas since Tuesday, with another 5 to 10 cm expected Thursday before the system tapers off later in the day. Total snowfall in some areas could reach up to 25 cm.
As of Thursday morning, snowfall warnings remained in effect for areas including Bragg Creek, Tsuu T’ina Nation, and parts of the Foothills and Kananaskis regions. Drivers were advised to prepare for rapidly deteriorating conditions and reduced visibility in bursts of heavy snow.
Environment Canada forecast a high of 1 C for the Airdrie region today, with cloudy skies and a 30 per cent chance of flurries early in the morning giving way to clearing. Winds were expected up to 15 km/h, with a morning wind chill near –10 and a moderate UV index of 3.
Clear skies were expected by evening, with a low of –15 and a wind chill near –19 overnight.
Looking ahead, the forecast calls for sunshine and rising temperatures into the weekend. Friday is expected to be sunny with a high of 8 C and a morning wind chill of –19. Saturday’s high is expected to reach 13 C and Sunday 14 C, with overnight lows gradually warming from –8 on Friday to –5 on Sunday.
Clouds are forecast to return Monday, with a high of 15 C and a low of –1 overnight.
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