White-out conditions obscured any sign of spring in Central Alberta on Tuesday and created hazardous driving conditions.
Snow whipped around in winds of 50 km/h, gusting to 80 km/h, between 5 and 7 a.m. Flurries and winds of 40 to 60 km/h continued to reduce visibility throughout the morning and into the afternoon.
“It’s not something nice to look at. You don’t want to see white, blowing snow in May,” said meteorologist John McIntyre with Environment Canada on Tuesday.
A strong low-pressure system, originating in the Pacific, tore through British Columbia and brought a cold front with north winds to Central Alberta. The wind and snow was expected to taper off later in the day.
The temperature hovered around -1C to 0 and five cm of snow was expected in Red Deer.
McIntyre said snow is actually quite normal for Red Deer in May, where an average of five cm falls during the month, along with 51 mm of rain, he said.
“Hopefully that will be it,” he said about the white stuff even though some people will take whatever precipitation they can get right now.
In April, most of the rain fell in Red Deer just last week. The dry month ended with 32.2 mm falling on April 28 and 13.8 mm on April 29 to surpass the month’s average of 22.6 mm.
Last week, fire bans were lifted in Lacombe, Red Deer, Ponoka, Stettler and Kneehill counties. Clearwater County did not have a fire ban.
Early Tuesday morning, Innisfail RCMP warned that travel was not recommended on Hwy 2 north and south of Bowden.
Road conditions were extremely poor, with snow-covered areas and blowing snow in north and southbound lanes. A tow advisory was in effect.
Innisfail RCMP Const. Christopher Warren said at least two semi trailers jack-knifed on Hwy 2, one near 67th Street by Red Deer and the other near Hwy 27 by Olds.
“There’s been few actual damage collisions. What we have been dealing with is several people getting stuck, going off the road, travelling too fast and needing to be rescued,” Warren said.
Roads in the Red Deer area were snow covered with icy sections and police advised drivers for most of the day to delay travel until weather and road conditions improved.
McIntyre said it was a nasty way to start May.
On the same day last year, Red Deer’s temperature climbed to 18C with a mix of sun and cloud.
The temperature this week should gradually creep up, he said.
“There will still be below-normal values through the weekend but it will be double digits by Saturday, hopefully 12C with sunny skies.”
For more information on firebans, visit www.albertafirebans.ca, and visit www.albertaparks.ca
szielinski@www.reddeeradvocate.com
