Southern Alberta digs out from up to metre of snow as warnings end

Environment Canada has lifted its snowfall warnings for Calgary and southern Alberta, after three relentless days that buried some communities with more than a metre of the white stuff.

Snow was still falling in Calgary on Monday, after a total of 16 centimetres on the weekend: 9.6 centimetresof snow on Sunday on top of 3.6 centimetres that fell on Saturday and 2.8 centimetres on Friday.

The city announced asnow-route parking banwill start at 6 p.m. on Monday to allow crews to clear those streets, which are typically the main bus routes.

But Calgary's situation paled in comparisonto some communities in the southwestern corner of the province.

Southwestern Albertahit hard

Waterton Lakes got walloped with 120 centimetresof snow,Kirk Tornabey with Environment Canada told Alberta@Noon.

The Crowsnest Pass sawsnowfalls of between 40and 90 centimetres.

Highway 3 in theCrowsnestPass is closed in both directions from Coleman to the B.C. border because of the weather. Commercial trucks are being parked at a roadside pullout in Frank.

Alberta Roads describes the conditions in theCrowsnestPass area as hazardous, with blowing snow and poor visibility. Travel is not advised.

The municipality ofCrowsnestPass said on Twitter it hasopened a warming centre at Elk's Hall inBlairmorefor stranded travellers.

TammyGurrand her family were on their way toFernie, B.C., when they were stopped by emergency crews and told they couldn't go on.

They were able to find a bed and breakfast in Coleman, but it's still not clear when they will be able to get through the pass.

"We may just be enjoying a beautiful day inside watching the snow fall," she said.

No estimate for highway reopening

In B.C., traffic is being stopped atSparwooduntil the highway reopens. But Alberta Roads said there is no estimated time for that to happen.

Environment Canada said on itswebsitetheCrowsnestareacould get another 15 centimetresof snow on Mondaywith up to 35 centimetres athigher terrain.

"Storm totals in some areas will exceed one metre," the agency said.

CrowsnestPass Mayor Blair Paintersaid he hasn't seen this much snow in more than 20 years.

"Don't know where we're going to put it all," hesaid.

There are also icy conditions with reduced visibilityon Highway 1 through Banff National Park.

Cold snap continues

And it hasn't been easy for Albertansto dig out, with frigid temperatures accompanying the snowfall.

Calgary's high temperature is forecast to be just 19 C on Monday, feeling like 30with the wind chill. Tuesday's forecast has a high of 21 Cand a low of 31 C.

Trucks and graders have been out doing echelon plowing Mondaystaggering snowplowsacrossall lanes of a road in one direction on priority 1 routes such asCrowchildTrail in Calgary, the city's roads department director TroyMcLeodtold the Calgary EyeopenerMonday.

"Roads aredefinitely in winter driving condition, so just take it easy out there," he said. "Things will look a lot better this evening."

Parking ban starts at 6 p.m.

Calgary's snow-route parking ban, which kicks in at 6 p.m. on Monday, means vehicles cannot be parked on streets marked with a snow route sign for 72 hours.

"We will ticket and tow vehicles that are parked in violation of the ban. It's not because we're being mean, but it's because we have to actually clear those streets," said Mayor Naheed Nenshi.

The snow-clogged roads have ledto a spike in accidents.

Calgary police said there were 195 collisions in the city between midnight and 4 p.m., 12 of which involved injuries.

Around 5 p.m., the police shut downGlenmoreTrail at northbound 52 Street S.E. because of icy conditions.

Drop-In Centre needs supplies

With Calgary in the grip of a cold snap,the Professional Association of Resident Physicians of Albertamade a timely donation of warm winter gear to the Drop-In and Rehab Centre.

Kwandwo Mponponsuo, who helped organize the donation drive, said as a doctor, it'simportant for him to recognize the role poverty plays in health.

"The medicine part, a lot of the time, is quite easy. But it's really addressing those underlying causes [of] ill health," he said.

Drop-In Centre executive director Debbie Newman said the gift is highly appreciated.

"To have medical students that are coming in and dropping off clothes for those in need means so much to us. You can imagine what it's like for medical students, and how busy they are," she said.

"Right now the need is great, with the weather being so cold, there's always a need to have a supply of tuques and mittens, scarves, warm jackets."

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