Strong winds and blowing snow swept through central and eastern Alberta on Wednesday, stranding motorists and prompting blizzard warnings.

The Grande Prairie and Peace River regions were hardest hit overnight by the storm, which was expected to drop 10 to 15 centimetres of snow and produce gusts of about 80 km/h.

Alberta RCMP reported several 911 calls from motorists who ended up in ditches because of poor visibility.

The Trans-Canada Highway that links Alberta and B.C. was closed Tuesday night due to an avalanche on the B.C. side.

The highway was closed at Kicking Horse Pass on Wednesday afternoon, between Field and Golden, but is to reopen at 5 p.m. MT, according to Parks Canada. Highway 93 between Castle Junction and Radium had reopened.

Alberta RCMP said in the morning that travel was not recommended on Highway 43 between the B.C. border and the town of Beaverlodge due to near zero visibility. Very poor visibility was also a problem on Highway 49 east and west of Spirit River.

"Drive with caution, slow down and be careful out there," said Dwight Rewega, a superintendent with a company that plows roads outside the Capital Region.

"Have some extra clothing in the vehicle in case you drive off into the ditch. Just drive with care and it will clear up here this afternoon. The road conditions aren't icy right now, just poor visibility."

Edmonton received 10 centimetres of snow and wind gusts of up to 50 km/h, according to Environment Canada. Temperatures were expected to drop to  —20 C by the evening.

Some morning flights were delayed or cancelled at Edmonton International Airport.