Calgary extreme cold temperatures to last a couple days

With milder temperatures on Tuesday, Calgarians were embracing old man winter, but with a frigid forecast heading our way, they may be singing a different tune Wednesday.

According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, Calgary saw upwards of 35 centimetres of snow Tuesday, while the next largest amount was 21 cm in Beaver Mines.

Snowfall affected large portions of western Alberta and other areas like Lethbridge and Medicine Hat.

Calgary police said there were 61 vehicle crashes in the city from midnight Tuesday until 11 a.m., with four injured and eight being hit-and-runs.

Meanwhile, an extreme cold warning is in effect in most of northern Alberta, and overnight temperatures for Calgary will sit around -30 C for the remainder of the week.

Wednesday’s overnight windchill temperature is expected to be around -39 C, with Thursday morning temperatures sitting around the same.

“It’s mainly cloudy, with some flurries, a few breaks in there, but it’s cold,” CityNews Meteorologist Michael Kuss said.

The Calgary Board of Education (CBE) says school buses are running today but adds there could still be delays.

Yellow school bus service will resume on Wednesday, Feb. 22. Families should still anticipate and prepare for potential delays in service for the rest of the week.
Calgary Transit school express routes and regular routes continue to run but may also be delayed.#yycbe #WeAreCBE pic.twitter.com/FWzQaO6Mg6

— Calgary Board of Education (@yyCBEdu) February 22, 2023

The City of Calgary says road crews are clearing the streets Wednesday, and area highways may still be dicey today.

“When driving, slow down and watch out for trouble spots at intersections, on hills, ramps and bridge decks. Extreme cold and light snow will continue today,” the city tweeted.

Snow Update: Crews are on the major routes, plowing snow and putting down material to help with traction. When driving, slow down and watch out for trouble spots at intersections, on hills, ramps and bridge decks. Extreme cold and light snow will continue today. Stay safe. pic.twitter.com/vHEeknoxdS

— YYC Transportation (@yyctransport) February 22, 2023

If there are issues on the road for drivers, the Alberta Motor Association says the wait for a tow truck is around 21 hours.

Calgarians embrace the cold and snow

Tuesday morning, Calgarians were navigating slightly unfamiliar territory as snowfall has been relatively light this winter season.

Well, except for one man from Newfoundland CityNews spoke with.

“This is only a sprinkle. My last time home, I was staying with my sister, and we had 8-foot snowbanks out in front of the house,” he said.

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Many Calgary residents hit up the dog parks with their furry friends.

And others were out in full force with their snowplows, shovels and even brooms in tow.

“First, I had to blow away the snow, sweep it away from the door so I could get out the door, and then I had to sweep down the stairs so I could find the sidewalk, and I’m looking for the sidewalk, and I think I’m finding it,” one resident told CityNews.

Calgary commuters navigated slick, snow-covered roads, and good samaritans were also out in full force, helping to push out casualties.

Still, despite the snow build-up on the roads, traffic was running relatively smoothly.

Eric Myers, a human resources instructor at Mount University, attributes this to more workplace flexibility.

“Employers … extend a higher level of accommodation and being more flexible for their employees when it comes to giving them the opportunity to work from home, and really prioritizing their safety and their … accessibility,” he said.

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