Snow is falling in Calgary once again, bringing wet and windy conditions to the Friday morning commute. Heavy, wet snow mixed with rain was falling in parts of the city early Friday, with strong winds blowing precipitation sideways and leaving roads soaked. Environment Canada is forecasting up to two centimetres of snow over higher terrain Friday, with more flurries possible through the weekend. Northerly winds are expected to reach 50 km/h, gusting to 80 km/h, with a daytime high of 6 C. While significant snowfall accumulation is not expected across the city Friday, wet roads could become a concern as temperatures drop to -4 C overnight. City prepares snow-clearing equipment The City of Calgary says crews are prepared to respond to the changing conditions, with just over 100 city-owned snowplows available this winter. Chris Hewitt, the city’s manager of mobility maintenance, says crews will begin treating roads ahead of snowfall and continue working while snow is falling. “We’ll be out on the roads while it’s snowing for any amount of snow,” Hewitt said. “If we think there could be accumulation on the roads, we’ll be out there.” The city is preparing for between two and five centimetres of snow over the weekend, although Hewitt says slight changes in temperature could significantly affect how much snow falls. He says even a couple of centimetres can create slippery conditions. Major routes such as Crowchild Trail, Glenmore Trail and Anderson Road are the city’s first priority, followed by major community roads and transit routes. The city aims to complete snow-clearing work on priority routes within 36 hours after snowfall ends. Deerfoot Trail and Stoney Trail are maintained under provincial responsibility. Drivers urged to prepare for winter conditions The city is encouraging motorists to give themselves more time to reach their destinations, increase their following distance and ensure their vehicles are ready for winter. Drivers are also being asked to give snow-clearing equipment plenty of space. Hewitt says a gradual arrival of winter conditions can help drivers adjust after months of warmer weather. Environment Canada is forecasting a high of 3 C Saturday, with a 60 per cent chance of flurries overnight. Sunday is expected to be colder, with a high of -1 C and a 60 per cent chance of flurries.
