Calgary weather: Wednesday’s winter storm includes hurricane-force winds, dangerous windchills, snow, and freezing rain

A collision of two potent weather systems will create one of the largest winter storms for western Canada in years in terms of area and impact.

Cold air associated with the polar vortex is combining with a moisture-laden Pacific system and will produce a strong Alberta clipper.

A swath of weather warnings and advisories have been issued from Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) including both yellow and orange-level wind warnings in southern Alberta.

In their explanation for the orange-level alert ECCC noted, “Westerly winds gusting up to 130 km/h are likely along the Highway 3 corridor between Lethbridge and the B.C. border late this morning and this afternoon,” with winds expected to ease up by the evening.

Among the potential risks and impacts from the wind the national weather agency listed, “Utility outages are likely. Driving conditions will likely be very difficult. High-sided vehicles could be overturned by the wind.”

Temperatures in southern Alberta and Saskatchewan were warm early Thursday which was one of the complicating factors and prompted other alerts including a yellow-level freezing rain advisory in southeastern Saskatchewan and a yellow-level winter storm warning for east-central Alberta.

In their 8:53 a.m. winter storm warning ECCC said, “Freezing rain has developed in a few areas, including over Eastern Alberta south of Highway 13. Very poor visibility in blowing snow is likely as heavy snow, with total amounts of 15 to 25 cm, will combine with strong gusty winds starting later this morning.”

Some communities including the corridor between highway 16 east of Edmonton and Highway 12 east of Red Deer are expecting up to 30 cm of snow.

“Blizzard conditions are also likely to develop in areas nearest the Saskatchewan border, particularly between Highway 14 and Highway 9 from Wainwright to Oyen. Wind gusts to 90 km/h along with falling and blowing snow will reduce visibility to near zero in this area.”

Yellow-level snowfall warnings have been issued across northern Alberta (including Edmonton), and portions of the B.C. interior with 15 to 30 cm of snow possible in the early part of the day.

Most of the province will see a rapid drop in temperatures with wind chill values making it feel much colder than the ambient temperature.

Yellow-level extreme cold warnings have been issued for northern Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba with windchill values expected to sit around -40.

The combination of wind and snow will compromise visibility along the QEII corridor and a yellow-level blowing snow advisory has been issued.

A large special weather statement has been issued for most of the B.C. central region and interior.

Temperatures will briefly rise Thursday to a daytime high of -1 C before falling down to values that are closer to the average low of -14 C.