Yellow Wind Warning Issued for Calgary
Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued a yellow wind warning for Calgary on Friday morning, with wind gusts expected to reach up to 90 km/h. The warning highlights the risk of property damage and dangerous conditions for high-sided vehicles such as lorries and trucks, which could be pushed around by the strong winds.
Precautions and Impacts
The weather agency advises securing loose objects around homes and businesses to prevent damage. High winds have already caused disruptions, including the cancellation of the Calgary Expo's POW! Parade of Wonders. The parade has been rebranded as an indoor party at the BMO Centre Plaza and Grand Staircase, starting at 10:30 a.m. Honourary party marshalls Mayor Jeromy Farkas and Mud Pi, the Dog Mayor of the Culture + Entertainment District, along with other celebrities, will still attend.
Wind speeds throughout the day are expected to average 60 km/h, gusting to 90 km/h, before diminishing to 20 km/h in the evening. On Thursday evening, strong winds caused chunks of metal panelling to fall on 2nd Avenue S.W., leading to a road closure.
Weather and Travel Advisories
Earlier forecasts predicted a heavy snow dump for Calgary from Thursday night through Saturday morning, but that has been revised. Calgarians can now expect light flurries, with accumulations of up to 4 cm in some areas. Travel east of the city has been significantly impacted. Kitscoty RCMP advise motorists of extremely poor driving and road conditions throughout eastern Alberta, including high winds, blowing snow, icy roads, and poor visibility on Highways 897, 41, 45, and 16. Travel in these areas is not recommended, as officers have responded to multiple collisions and describe the conditions as treacherous.
Understanding the Warning
A wind warning is typically issued when wind gusts exceed 70 km/h. Yellow weather alerts, according to Environment Canada's colour-label system, are the most common and indicate hazardous weather with moderate, localized, or short-term impacts.
