Achi news desk-
Since Monday, there has been a steady decline in weather for parts of southern Alberta.
A frontal system introduced a cold air mass along with precipitation that started as rain and turned to snow.
Late on Tuesday, the winds intensified from the north/northwest and remained steady throughout the morning.
This “perfect storm” of strong, cold winds blowing over wet roads with near-surface temperatures around 0 C caused ice to form on parts of the area’s roads.
As of 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, 511 Alberta had rated many highways in central and southern Alberta as snow-covered and icy.
Alberta road conditions on the morning of April 17, 2024. (511 Alberta)
Winds are expected to remain strong from the north at around 40 km/h, with gusts over 70 km/h for much of the day, creating a wind chill value that will make it feel around six to nine degrees colder than the wind. ambient temperature.
Wind forecast for Calgary on April 17, 2024. (CTV News)
While these winds are strong, they are expected to remain below the threshold in order to trigger a wind warning for the province.
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) will issue wind warnings in most of Alberta if there are sustained winds of 70 km/h or more, and/or wind gusts of 90 km/h or more.
Areas in southwestern Alberta (including Lethbridge) have a higher threshold for wind warnings of at least 80 km/h sustained winds and/or at least 100 km/h or more for gusts.
The low pressure system associated with this wintry weather will continue to track eastward throughout the day on Wednesday, but seasonal conditions will remain difficult for Calgary.
A ridge of high pressure that has slowed over the eastern Pacific is not expected to move until the end of the week, keeping daytime highs in Calgary to a maximum of around 2 C until the end of the week.
Central and southern Alberta can expect more sunshine starting Thursday, with a return to double-digit daytime highs by Sunday.
Seven-day temperature trend for Calgary from April 17-23, 2024. (CTV News)
Visit ECCC for the latest weather alerts and 511 Alberta for current road conditions.
