Central Alberta roads remain in only fair condition after a winter storm continued to dump snow overnight.
However, blowing snow has created icy conditions and limited visibility on Hwy 2 in the Lacombe, Ponoka and Wetaskiwin areas and drivers should use caution and slow down, reports the Ponoka RCMP Integrated Traffic Services. The Alberta Motor Association reports a stretch of Hwy 2 around Lacombe in poor condition.
Hwys 11 and 53 are in good condition west of the city, but worsen further east. Most other major Central Alberta roads, including Hwy 2 south, are in fair condition.
An Olds woman is in critical condition in a Calgary hospital after her truck rolled three times into Hwy 2’s centre median north of Airdrie Wednesday. Hwy 2 was briefly closed so STARS air ambulance could land following the 4:30 p.m. incident. RCMP report a medical condition may have caused the 51-year-old to lose control, but police say wearing a seatbelt likely saved her life.
The City of Red Deer has crews working around the clock to salt and sand roads. Officials advise to be careful driving around city equipment and not follow other vehicles too closely due to icy conditions.
Environment Canada forecasts call for two to four cm of snow today, overnight and Friday. Temperatures are to fall to highs of just -10C today and -13C Friday and Saturday. The sun will return Sunday with a high of -12C, but a chilly -24C overnight low. These are well below seasonal norms of 2C and -8C, which are forecast to return by next week.