Heavy winds in southern Alberta are creating potentially dangerous driving conditions and wreaking havoc in Calgary.
Calgary police are urging residents to stay indoors, as flying debris is becoming a hazard on roads and walkways. The powerful winds have downed power lines, knocked down trees, and even ripped off three LRT crossing arms, causing delays. They've also broken multiple windows in downtown's TD Square.
The falling shards of glass damaged a vehicle, but there are no reports of any injuries so far, said duty inspector Keith Cain.
West of the city, the winds ripped the roof off and smashed windows out of the home.
Gusts upwards of 100 kilometres per hour are also causing unsafe driving conditions outside the city, especially for semi trucks.
A tractor trailer has already rolled over on Highway 2 southbound at the Didsbury overpass, causing traffic to be diverted onto Highway 2a until further notice.
Hoping to prevent similar accidents, Claresholm, Fort Macleod, and High River RCMP are asking semi trucks, particularly those without loads, to stay off the roads until the winds ease. Red Cliff RCMP have also asked all motorists to slow down and drive with extra
caution.
While most of southern Alberta is under a strong wind warning, RCMP have specified that travel is not recommended from Calgary south to Nanton, as well as in the Claresholm and Fort Macleod areas.
According to Environment Canada, the winds are being caused by a strong pressure gradient that has developed over southern Alberta as a result of a low pressure system that has moved into southern Northwest Territories.
The winds developed Sunday morning along the foothills and spread to the Lethbridge region. Winds gusting to 120 km/h are still expected through most of the warning regions, before diminishing Sunday evening.
With files from Calgary Herald
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