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Communities across Alberta are waking up to heavy rain and damaging winds Thursday as a powerful low pressure system brings a blast of nasty weather to the Prairies.
A major spring storm moved in overnight Wednesday, triggering a series of extreme weather alerts.
Environment Canada has issued a string of wind and rainfall warnings for communities across northern, central and southeastern Alberta.
Damaging winds are expected in an area of central Alberta, including Red Deer and stretching south to Drumheller, Brooks and Medicine Hat. The wind warning for Edmonton ended Thursday afternoon.
Strong northwest winds with gusts of 90 to 100 km/h are likely, Environment Canada said in its latest warnings issued Thursday.
Winds are expected to strengthen early Thursday and continue throughout the day.
Drivers and commuters are being advised to exercise caution and expect disruptions.
Driving conditions are expected to be difficult and high-sided vehicles will be pushed around by the wind, Environment Canada said.
Local utility outages are possible and damage to roofs, fences and trees is likely and people should be cautious of flying or falling debris.
In a statement Thursday, officials with the Edmonton International Airport said the severe winds are causing flight delays and cancellations. With the severe winds expected to continue throughout the day, officials urged all travellers to check their flight status before arriving at the airport.
Heavy rain, maybe snow
In the north, in communities including High Prairie, Slave Lake and Fort McMurray, residents are being warned of the risk of localized flooding and washouts.
Between 25 and 30 mm of rain is expected to fall Thursday. Some areas could receive as much as 50 mm before the storm passes, Environment Canada said.
Periods of rain are expected to continue throughout the day and into Friday before ending.
Due to the recent and continued melt of the significantly above-normal winter snowpack and recent overland flooding conditions, flooding is possible, Environment Canada cautioned.
Drivers are advised to watch for pooling water on roads and in low-lying areas, and for washouts near rivers, creeks and culverts.
Some communities near the Saskatchewan border may see the heavy rain transition to snow on Friday.