Severe weather warnings are in effect for southern Alberta as heavy snow blankets the area, reducing visibility and causing dangerous road conditions.

Highway closures

  • Highway 2 from Nanton to Cardston. RCMP in Claresholm are also diverting traffic off the highway into town.
  • Highway 3 from Brocket to Lethbridge.
  • Highway 3 in Lethbridge from the Oldman River Bridge to Highway 25.
  • Whoop Up Drive in Lethbridge.
  • Highway 519 from Highway 2 to Highway 23.
  • Highway 23 from Barons to Highway 3.
  • Northbound Highway 2 lanes closed at Aldersyde overpass near High River, traffic being rerouted to 498th Avenue then onto Highway 2A.
  • Highway 742 from Kananaskis Lakes Trail to Grassi Lakes Road. Closure expected to last until at least Monday afternoon.
  • Highway 1 from Canmore to the Cochrane turnoff down to one lane in both west and eastbound lanes. Traffic lined up, and delays expected to take hours.

RCMP say many southern Alberta highways are closed and they are advising against any travel in the area. Officials say motorists currently on the road should find the closest town or a safe place to wait out the storm.

Drivers who become stranded should call 911 for help, say RCMP.

Strong winds and anywhere from 15 to 25 centimetres of snow is in the forecast for Calgary Sunday, and another five centimetres could fall on Monday.

The city says gravel trucks and snow plows were prepared on Saturday in anticipation of the storm.

City spokesperson Kelly Dyer says it's too early to know if a snow route parking ban will be put into effect.

Calgary police are advising motorists to stay off city roads because of dangerous conditions. Police say there were 69 collisions Sunday morning, with six of those involving injuries.

The Calgary International Airport is also seeing weather-related delays and some cancellations. Officials are advising travellers to check their flight before heading to the airport.

FortisAlberta crews had to restore power to roughly 3,000 customers near Langdon, Chestermere and Okotoks earlier Sunday because of downed power poles.

Westbound Heritage Drive near Deerfoot Trail in Calgary will also be closed for roughly 24 hours to repair downed power lines.

Snow hits the Rockies

A heavy snowfall warning has been issued for the Rocky Mountains, including Banff National Park, with a further 10 to 25 centimetres of snowfall expected this weekend.

Officials at Sunshine Village said Saturday that the ski hill located near Banff got 42 centimetres of fresh powder in 24 hours.

Backcountry skiers are being warned of avalanche danger this weekend in the mountains west of Calgary because of a Pacific rain system called the Pineapple Express. Backcountry skiers are being warned of avalanche danger this weekend in the mountains west of Calgary because of a Pacific rain system called the Pineapple Express. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)

"What a tremendous way to kick off the month of March," said Dave Riley, Sunshine's chief operating officer.

Officials said the new snow is attributed to the Pineapple Express system converging over the Rocky Mountains.

"This new snow has provided epic conditions for skiers and riders this weekend and leading into the spring ski season."

But Alberta backcountry enthusiasts are being warned about an avalanche danger this weekend.

The risk in Kananaskis and the south Rockies is rated as considerable to high.