Spring snow, high winds wallop Prairies, stranding vehicles and causing crashes

File photo of a spring snowstorm.

Spring may be in the air, but on the Prairies winter held on by its icy fingernails Friday, stranding cars, closing roads, toppling trees and even cancelling the parade for Calgary’s comic book expo.

The Parade of Wonders was supposed to move through the city’s downtown in the morning but was called off due to high winds.

Organizers said an indoor “Party of Wonders” would run instead.

“This decision was not made lightly, but made with the safety of participants as first priority, and in accordance with recommendations from trusted production partners,” Expo organizers said in a statement.

Environment Canada issued a wind warning for the city, with gusts up to 90 km/h, amid reports of some fallen trees.

Calgary was not alone.

Parts of Alberta and northern Saskatchewan through to northern Manitoba were walloped by snow and wind.

In northern Alberta, Mounties said a stretch of Highway 63, the main artery south of Fort McMurray, remains impassable due to high winds and blowing snow.

• Live updates: RCMP warn of ‘treacherous’ road conditions as spring snow storm hits Alberta

Police have been escorting multiple tow trucks along the highway to reach stranded vehicles.

In Edmonton, residents who had to rescue patio furniture skittering away in howling winds Thursday night woke up to a blanket of snow, with more flakes landing in horizontal sheets as the day wore on.

In Saskatoon, slippery roads led to multiple fender-bender car crashes on the morning commute. Police say no one was seriously hurt.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 24, 2026.