RCMP warn of ‘treacherous’ road conditions as spring snow storm hits Alberta. Follow live updates here.

Multiple semis are seen on Highway 63 on April 23, 2026, stranded due to a snow storm and multiple crashes on the Alberta highway leading to Fort McMurray. (Source: Dana Wiseman)

It may be late April, but a gusty snowstorm is making a mess of traffic across Alberta on Friday.

The RCMP are warning of “treacherous” road conditions in multiple parts of the province, and there are a number of snowfall and wind warnings.

Follow this story for live updates throughout the day:

Alberta RCMP issue provincewide update

Mounties issued an the main storm-related traffic issues in Alberta just after 12 p.m.

In it, police drivers should avoid all eastern Alberta roads because heavy snowfall and winds are causing whiteout conditions.

Up in Wood Buffalo, the following road closures remain in place, according to RCMP:

• Highway 63: Northbound at Wandering River to Fort McMurray - hazardous road conditions reported.
• Highway 63: Northbound and Southbound travel affected between south of Marianna Lake and Fort McMurray - hazardous road conditions reported.
• Highway 881: Northbound and Southbound travel affected north of Imperial Mills – collision reported.

“Alberta RCMP do NOT recommend any travel in these areas. Due to high call volumes for multiple collisions and stranded motorists, with poor road and weather conditions as factors, emergency response may take longer than normal,” police said.

“If you are stranded, stay with your vehicle. RCMP, emergency crews, tow trucks, snowplows, and sanding trucks are active in the area.”

Diego Romero, CTV News Edmonton online news supervisor

Car crashes in Edmonton

In the capital city, a total of 60 car crashes were reported from 4 p.m. on Thursday to 11 a.m. on Friday, according to Accident Support Services International.

Firefighters and emergency services responded to what appeared to be a single-vehicle crash on Whitemud Drive during the morning rush hour.

Diego Romero, CTV News Edmonton online news supervisor

Road conditions and weather warnings

511 Alberta shows road conditions across the province. Roads marked in red are closed, while purple ones are not recommended.

Environment Canada is showing several weather alerts across Alberta; mostly special weather statements, but some wind and snow warnings as well.

Diego Romero, CTV News Edmonton online news supervisor

Impassable highways

In northern Alberta, Highway 63 between Highway 881 and mile marker 140 is impassable Friday morning following extreme road and weather conditions on Thursday and overnight.

With ongoing high winds and blowing snow, police are escorting tow trucks to reach stranded vehicles.

Mounties ask drivers to avoid the area.

• Read more: Gas, food delivered to drivers stranded south of Fort McMurray due to road conditions

Just north of Edmonton, a crash between two semi-trucks is blocking Highway 881 in both directions near Hearth Lake.

The roads are “unsurpassable” and RCMP asked drivers to avoid the highway.

In eastern Alberta, including Kitscoty, Vermilion and Lloydminster, poor visibility, icy roads, high winds, and blowing snow are causing “extremely poor” driving conditions.

Travel is not recommended on Highways 897, 41, 45 and 16, where police have responded to multiple crashes.

Diego Romero, CTV News Edmonton online news supervisor

This is developing story. More to come...

• RELATED STORY: Gusty with flurries today; cool spell to linger through the weekend