PRAIRIES | Vicious winds

Alberta: Tricky travel amid whiteouts, hurricane-force winds

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Digital writers

theweathernetwork.com

Saturday, December 29, 2018, 5:59 PM - Driving was treacherous for many Albertans on Saturday, as potent winds swept down from the Rockies to spur blowing and drifting snow. Even where spiking temperatures ate away at the snow cover, hurricane-force winds whipped parts of the southern foothills. And while the winds are set to fade into Sunday, unfortunately the warmth goes with them -- Arctic air will send highs plunging back down again as we head into 2019.

WINTER IS HERE: How will El Niño shape Canada's upcoming winter? Find out with The Weather Network’s 2019 Winter Forecast | FORECAST & MAPS HERE

WEATHER HIGHLIGHTS

Wind gusts topping 120 km/h reported in southern Alberta

Strongest winds ease overnight into Sunday, but secondary round of gusty winds expected with cold front

Treacherous driving conditions from Peace Country to Lloydminster in blowing snow

Temperatures trending down for New Year's Eve

Keep on top of active weather by visiting the ALERTS page.

WICKED WINDS

A clipper system spinning up over central Alberta spurred another round of winds well in excess of 100 km/h over parts of the southern foothills on Saturday. Wind warnings spread across southern Alberta through the afternoon hours as gusts topped 120 km/h in Waterton Lakes National Park, and edged toward 90 km/h in the passes. By mid-afternoon, winds were picking up across the southern tier of the province, with wind warnings to match.

Winds will diminish along the foothills into early Sunday morning, but another burst of gusty winds is expected across the southern third of the province -- this time, out of the north, as the cold front begins its march southward on Sunday.

WATCH BELOW: STRONG WINDS SWEEP THROUGH SOUTH





TREACHEROUS DRIVE

This fast-moving clipper system is also bringing snow to parts of the province, with snowfall warnings stretching across the province from the Peace Country to Lloydminster on Saturday, and expected to linger into Sunday morning. The region covered by the warning can expected 15 to 25 cm by the time snow tapers off Sunday; spots north and south of the heaviest band -- including Edmonton -- are in line for closer to 5 to 10 cm.

Numerous reports of cars in the ditch and jack-knifed tractor trailers emerged from Alberta roads on Saturday afternoon, along with calls for those heading out on the roads to be prepared for difficult winter driving conditions.

Highway 93 Travel is not recommended, road is snow covered, blowing snow and visibility is poor. Heres Highway 1 at Lake Louise #abroads #abstorm pic.twitter.com/oEfnS0skNd — Brandon Houck (@HouckisPokise) December 29, 2018

RCMP Stony Plain are advising to avoid unnecessary travel on EB Hwy16 east of Century Rd, near Spruce Grove. Hwys are partly covered snow, snowing with fair visibility. Multiple vehicles on the ditch. Expect major delays. (3:48pm) #ABRoads #yegtraffic — 511 Alberta (@511Alberta) December 29, 2018

EB Hwy16 east of Century Rd, near Spruce Grove - Jackknifed Semi - Expect major delays heading EB. (1:21pm) #ABRoads pic.twitter.com/A20lcANEyy — 511 Alberta (@511Alberta) December 29, 2018





Conditions are expected to improve through Sunday morning as winds ease and snow tapers off.

TEMPERATURE RISE AND FALL

These winds had daytime highs pushing 10o C on Saturday, but don't expect that warmth to stick around. A frigid New Year's Eve beckons, particularly for Saskatchewan and Manitoba, with extreme cold lasting into New Year's Day for Manitoba, where daytime highs in the Winnipeg area will only reach -25oC.

That isn't the end of the temperature roller coaster ride, however, as Pacific air moving in from the west will see highs moderate again going into early January.

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