Calgary Weather: Northerly winds create icy conditions

Southern Alberta has seen a steady decline in weather since Monday.

A frontal system introduced a cold air mass with precipitation that began as rain and turned to snow.

Winds from the north/northwest remained steady throughout the morning Tuesday evening.

This “perfect storm” of strong, cold winds blowing over wet roads with near-surface temperatures of around 0 C resulted in icy sections of roads.

As of 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, 511 Alberta has rated many highways in central and southern Alberta as snow-covered and icy.

Alberta road conditions on the morning of April 17, 2024. (511 Alberta)

North winds around 40 km/h, with gusts as high as 70 km/h most of the day, are expected to create a wind chill. ambient temperature.

Calgary wind forecast for April 17, 2024. (CTV News)

Although these winds are strong, they are expected to be below the threshold for wind warnings for the province.

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) is issuing wind warnings for most of Alberta with sustained winds of 70 km/h or more and/or gusts of 90 km/h or more.

Areas in southwestern Alberta (including Lethbridge) have a higher threshold for wind warnings with sustained winds of at least 80 km/h and/or gusts of at least 100 km/h or more.

A low pressure system with this wintry weather will track east throughout the day Wednesday, but seasonal conditions will remain difficult for Calgary.

A stalled ridge of high pressure in the eastern Pacific is not expected to move until the end of the week, bringing daytime highs up to 2 degrees in Calgary by the end of the week.

Central and southern Alberta can expect more sunshine starting Thursday, with a return to double-digit daytime highs on Sunday.

Seven-day temperature trend for Calgary, April 17-23, 2024. (CTV News)

Visit ECCC for the latest weather alerts and 511 Alberta for current road conditions.