Three Central Alberta school divisions cancelled school bus runs Friday morning as freezing rain slid into the region.
Chinook’s Edge cancelled all school buses, Wild Rose cancelled 24 buses, and Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools cancelled 38 buses as of 9 a.m. Most schools were remaining open.
In Red Deer, city crews were out sanding roads at about 5 a.m. Roads were slushy at 8:30 a.m. with the combination of mostly freezing rain and a bit of snow, with some intersections slick. Most drivers seemed to be adjusting to conditions and slowing down.
Social media was reporting some icy conditions on the QEII both north and south of Red Deer, making for a slow commute in the region.
Environment Canada updated its freezing rain warning at 8:26 a.m., stating conditions were a “significant threat to transportation corridors.”
An area of freezing rain is moving through Central Alberta this morning. The freezing rain is spreading northeastward to the Coronation and Lloydminster regions through the morning. Some areas could see up to five mm of ice accumulation. Freezing rain will end from west to east by this afternoon, Environment Canada said.
“Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become icy and slippery. Take extra care when walking or driving in affected areas. Be prepared to adjust your driving with changing road conditions.”
The freezing rain warning is in effect for:
- Camrose Co. near Bashaw and Meeting Creek
- City of Red Deer
- Co. of Paintearth near Halkirk and Big Knife Prov. Park
- Co. of Stettler near Big Valley
- Co. of Stettler near Botha and Gadsby
- Co. of Stettler near Byemoor and Endiang
- Co. of Stettler near Donalda
- Co. of Stettler near Stettler Nevis and Rochon Sands
- Flagstaff Co. near Forestburg and Galahad
- Lacombe Co. near Clive Alix and Mirror
- Lacombe Co. near Eckville
- Lacombe Co. near Lacombe Blackfalds and Bentley
- Ponoka Co. near Ponoka and Maskwacis
- Red Deer Co. near Elnora Lousana and Delburne
- Red Deer Co. near Penhold Innisfail and Bowden
- Red Deer Co. near Pine Lake
- Red Deer Co. near Spruce View and Red Lodge Prov. Park
- Red Deer Co. near Sylvan Lake and Stephansson House