Don’t drive: Calgary police advise residents to stay out of ‘extreme’ conditions

Wednesday’s wild weather made for a treacherous commute both inside the city and outside of it.

Calgary police asked residents not to drive due to some wild weather Wednesday afternoon.

Police posted an advisory right around noon Wednesday, as high winds and snow whipped up challenging conditions across southern Alberta.

“Due to extreme winter storm conditions, police are advising motorists not to travel. Many collisions & road closures are in effect,” the police posted on X.

The City of Calgary also posted an advisory on its social media feed.

“Significant wind and snowfall is creating visibility issues on the roads. Crews are responding, but ensure you leave plenty of time to get to your destination and be prepared before you head out,” they posted.

The city reported a multi-vehicle incident on eastbound Stoney Trail and Deerfoot Trail, among others.

Just after 11 a.m., Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) posted a blowing snow advisory for Calgary.

“Poor visibility in blowing snow continues,“ it said.

”The Highway 2 corridor between Calgary and Red Deer, the Highway 1 corridor east of Calgary and outlying, exposed areas within Calgary city limits are most likely to be impacted.

“Conditions will improve this evening,” it added.

“Consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve. If driving, turn on your lights, slow down and maintain a safe following distance.”

An 80-to-100-vehicle pileup closed Highway 2 between Airdrie and Calgary in both directions on Wednesday.

The northbound lanes began a long reopening process around 5:30 p.m.

One southbound lane was expected to start moving shortly after.

Warming stations were set up in Airdrie and motorists involved were being bussed to the centres to stay warm.

Police say there were 142 vehicle collisions in the city on Wednesday between midnight and 4 p.m.

According to police, that includes 16 crashes with injuries and 96 without.

In that time, there were 30 hit-and-runs that did not result in injuries.

Police say between 4:30 p.m. and 10 p.m., there were nine more crashes with injuries and 29 more without.

In that time, there was one hit-and-run that resulted in injuries and 11 that did not.

The weather delayed everything from mail delivery to transit to tow trucks.

“We could’ve served more clients and helped more customers, but because of the road conditions, we can’t go fast,” said Farid Rasti with Hook ‘n’ Go Towing.

“We have to think. Everybody needs to go home at the end of the day, safe and sound.”

Stuart Brideaux with Emergency Health Services Alberta said Wednesday brought “a lot more challenges and danger than normal.”

“In terms of motorists on the road, as well as just pedestrian safety with the amount of snow we’ve had.

“(The snow) in itself is a challenge, but it’s also fallen recently and frozen on the sidewalks.”

With files from Damien Wood