Calgary experienced significant weather disruption as a spring snowstorm struck the region, leading to numerous road accidents. The storm began early Thursday, blanketing the city with heavy, wet snow following a special weather statement from Environment and Climate Change Canada.
Weather Warning and Impact
The agency warned of snowfall amounts reaching up to 20 centimeters in central and southern Alberta. This included the Calgary area, which also faced mixed precipitation of snow and rain. Motorists were advised to exercise caution and allow extra travel time due to the treacherous driving conditions.
Calgary was placed under a “yellow warning” for heavy snowfall, with reports indicating that the worst of the storm stalled over the city. The heaviest snowfall stretched from Canmore to Strathmore, located approximately 50 kilometers east of Calgary. Southeastern regions, like Medicine Hat, reported rain instead of snow.
Traffic Accidents and Safety Advisory
Calgary police reported over 163 accidents occurring on city roads from midnight to noon on Thursday. Among these incidents, 22 resulted in injuries. Chris McGeachy, a spokesperson for Calgary’s mobility department, noted that March and April typically see high precipitation events, whether in the form of rain or snow.
- 163 total crashes reported
- 22 accidents resulted in injuries
- Snowfall expected to decrease by Thursday evening
Future Weather Forecast
Following the snowstorm, temperatures in Calgary are projected to reach around 8°C on Friday and 5°C on Saturday. This rise in temperature should aid in melting the accumulated snow, which is crucial for drivers planning journeys over the Easter long weekend.
However, the forecast indicates the possibility of flurries returning by Sunday before temperatures rise again into the high single digits by Monday.
