Snow causes traffic and flight delays
CBC News
Posted: Nov 21, 2012 8:17 AM MT
Last Updated: Nov 21, 2012 10:25 AM MT
YOUR NEWS
Related
Related Stories
External Links
(Note:CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external links.)
Calgary Police are asking drivers to adjust for winter driving conditions as they worsen throughout Wednesday evening.
There have been 113 reported accidents — 14 of them injury-related — from midnight to 4 p.m. MT Wednesday.
The weather is also affecting some flights at the Calgary International Airport.
Jody Mosley, who speaks for the airport, says travellers can expect delays and even cancellations.
"Anything from de-icing the aircraft, in addiiton to that we keep the runways clear — it takes a little time to sweep the runway clear of snow, there are a few extra steps that are involved when there's snow outside, that the entire airport goes through," Mosley said.
Environment Canada said 10 to 20 centimetres of snow can be expected by Thursday morning.
"Weird weather continues with another snowfall warning," tweeted Calgary's Mayor Naheed Nenshi.
"Will likely be snowing during pm rush. Take it easy, leave extra time, be safe.... And I am sorry about the weather. Yes, I washed my car. #itsallmyfault."
A snowfall warning had been issued for the bulk of southern Alberta — from Red Deer to the American border.
According to Environment Canada, a low pressure system has moved into Montana Wednesday morning bringing periods of freezing rain to southern Alberta.
Heavy snow moved into southern Alberta later on Wednesday, with another band of precipitation from the U.S. pushing north towards Red Deer along a line from Banff to Medicine Hat.
No snow route parking ban yet
Peter Jacoby, from the City of Calgary, says crews were out overnight to make sure the major routes were in good condition for the commute Wednesday morning.
"Priority 1s and 2s are clear and passable, but of course winter driving conditions have set in overnight so people are going to want to leave lots of extra time when they're headed out on their commute," he said.
Albertans living in the areas highlighted in red were being warned to brace themselves for a blast of winter weather on Wednesday. (weatheroffice.gc.ca)The city says conditions could be right to declare a city-wide snow route parking ban, but no decision has been made. The city offers automatic email alerts on snow route parking bans for residents looking for updates.
Some flights at the Calgary International Airport have been affected, and travellers are being advised to check their flight status before departing for the airport.
"We do have cancellations today due to the weather headed for Calgary — seven in total," said WestJet's Robert Palmer. "The flights affected are between Calgary and Vancouver, Abbotsford, Victoria and Winnipeg. We are in the process of contacting guests affected to reaccommodate them."
Air Canada spokesperson Angela Mah says they are also experiencing delays related to the amount of time required to properly de-ice aircraft in these conditions.
"So delays are certainly to be expected," she said. "To take the pressure off the de-icing lineup, we have cancelled two flights to Vancouver, with a larger aircraft substituted on the next flight to accommodate customers. Thanks go to our customers for their patience as we work towards getting everyone on their way safely."
For weather updates throughout the day, check out CBC's weather website.
Share Tools
Latest Calgary News Headlines
- Police nab Calgary motorcyclist at 180 km/h
- RCMP in Airdrie arrested two men for speeding Saturday on Highway 2 near Crossfield, where one of the men was travelling at 180 km/h. more »
- Missing teen found
- Calgary police have found a 15-year-old boy who had been reported as missing early Sunday morning. more »
- Six campers rescued after getting lost in Kananaskis Country
- A group of six campers was rescued Sunday morning after becoming lost when they wandered away from their campsite near Gorge Creek Trail. more »
- It's all Greek to yogurt fans
- The latest craze at the grocery store is old hat in many Balkan countries, where the benefits of Greek yogurt have long been known. more »
Must Watch
Top News Headlines
- Harper chief of staff resigns amid Senate expense scandal
- Nigel Wright has resigned as Prime Minister Stephen Harper's chief of staff, following revelations he wrote a $90,000 cheque to repay living expenses claimed by Senator Mike Duffy. more »
- Jeep driver apologizes after stunt kills Edmonton woman
- A man claiming to be the driver of a Jeep that struck and killed a spectator at a charity event in Edmonton says he is sorry for what happened. more »
- Senior Pakistani politician Zahra Shahid shot dead
- Voting in Karachi goes ahead a day after gunmen killed a senior member of Imran Khan's Movement for Justice (PTI) party outside her home in Karachi. more »
- US Virgin Islands environment head arrested for drug trafficking
- Federal agents have arrested the top enforcement officer for the U.S. Virgin Islands environment agency on drug trafficking charges after he was allegedly caught with a cache of cocaine on a government patrol boat. more »
- 1 person hurt after trains collide near Medicine Hat
- Calgary police arrest 2 following minor explosions
- Homeowner says he was swindled out of his own property
- It's all Greek to yogurt fans
- Crews respond to Ramsay blaze
- Six campers rescued after getting lost in Kananaskis Country
- Fire destroys, damages 2 homes hours after ban lifted
- Lock your doors, police warn
- RCMP investigating after man dies in Gleichen

