There may be a significant impact on rush hour traffic in urban areas.
Winter storm warning in effect for:
- Lloydminster
- Beaver County near Viking and Kinsella
- Provost and area
- Vermilion and area
- Wainwright and area
- Flagstaff County near Alliance, Killam, Lougheed, Hardisty and Sedgewick.
A winter storm will bring snow, freezing rain, strong winds, blowing snow and a rapid drop in temperatures to central Alberta today.
Patchy freezing rain will continue this morning along the Yellowhead corridor between Entwistle and Edmonton. This area of freezing rain will move eastward towards the Saskatchewan border and expand north and south through the day. Expect icy conditions along area highways including Highways 2, 16 and 43. Freezing rain will change to snow this afternoon.
Strong northwest winds will also develop this afternoon. Wind gusts up to 80 km/h may cause poor visibility in blowing snow in the afternoon and evening. These winds will taper off overnight.
Temperatures will drop rapidly with the northwest winds. Temperature drops of 10 to 15 degrees Celsius are possible in a short period of time. Wet surfaces from the earlier precipitation may re-freeze causing more icy conditions.
Visibility will be suddenly reduced to near zero at times in heavy snow and blowing snow. Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become icy and slippery.