Why I Like Whitecourt!

Issued at 9:33 p.m. MST Wednesday 26 November 2014

Summary

Hazardous winter conditions are expected. A major Pacific frontal system will bring heavy snowfall to parts of central Alberta starting tonight and continuing through Friday. For central Alberta, snow over the Mountain Parks today will become heavier overnight. The snow has spread northward into the Hinton and Whitecourt regions this evening and will continue eastward towards the City of Edmonton and surrounding areas overnight. Heavy snow will continue Thursday and Friday before the system moves into Saskatchewan. Over Kananaskis Country and the Pincher Creek region, the heavy snow won't begin until Friday, but it will last 24 to 36 hours as well. Storm total snowfall amounts will likely be in the 30 to 50 cm range over the mountain parks as well as the Hinton and Whitecourt regions, Kananaskis Country and Pincher Creek. Note that some areas may see up to 75 cm of snow. Areas expected to be hardest-hit include Grande Cache and the Icefields Parkway, as well as far southwestern Alberta including Pincher Creek. Jasper and Banff town sites will still receive significant snowfall, but will have lesser accumulations. Behind the system, frigid Arctic air will drop daytime highs well below normal for the weekend. Winter storm warnings are issued when 25 cm of snow or more are expected to fall in 24 hours or less.

Details

Travel is not recommended. Road closures are likely. Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow. Take extra care when walking or driving in affected areas. Poor weather conditions are likely to contribute to long-lasting transportation delays. Public Safety Canada encourages everyone to make an emergency plan and get an emergency kit with drinking water, food, medicine, a first-aid kit and a flashlight. For information on emergency plans and kits go to http://www.getprepared.gc.ca/ Environment Canada meteorologists will update alerts as required. Please continue to monitor your local media or Weatheradio for further updates. If you would like to report severe weather, you can call 1-800-239-0484 or send an email to storm@ec.gc.ca or tweet reports to #ABStorm.

I'm Crazy, that's why!