Drivers on major routes around Airdrie and Calgary are facing a mix of snow, ice and reduced visibility Saturday, according to Alberta 511 as of late Saturday morning.
Conditions vary along the Highway 2 corridor. North of Calgary city limits toward the junction with Highway 2A, the roadway is partly covered with ice and strong winds are reported, while within the city, between Beddington Trail and Stoney Trail NE, surfaces are bare and wet with areas of slush and shoulder ice and snow. Visibility in Calgary is listed as fair.
North of Airdrie, Highway 2A between Highway 72 and Township Road 292 is partly covered with snow, with strong winds in the area and good visibility reported.
Related Stories:
Further northeast, conditions deteriorate along Highway 72 between Highway 2 and Beiseker, where the roadway is partly snow-covered with hazards including icy sections, blowing snow, slush and black ice. Visibility there is listed as fair.
Environment and Climate Change Canada reported light snow at Calgary International Airport as of 10 a.m., with a temperature of -3.1 C and northwest winds at 17 km/h gusting to 27 km/h. Visibility was four kilometres.
The agency forecasts periods of snow through the day, with two to four centimetres expected and winds gusting up to 40 km/h. The high is expected to reach -1 C.
Snow is expected to end near midnight, followed by cloudy conditions overnight and a low of -7 C.
In a separate incident near Jasper, police are reporting a highway closure.
Jasper RCMP say Highway 16 is closed in both directions approximately 12 kilometres west of the town due to a rock slide.
Police say they are supporting Parks Canada-led efforts to clear the highway and redirect traffic, including semi trucks affected by the closure.
There are no reports of vehicles being struck or injuries, according to RCMP.
The delay is expected to be significant, with no timeline for reopening. RCMP are advising the public to find alternate routes while the highway is cleared and safety assessments are completed.
Sign up to get the latest local news headlines delivered directly to your inbox every afternoon.