Alberta's Winter Storm: Stranded Drivers, Canceled Events

0:00It's April 24th. Welcome to Canada News today, powered by AI. A brutal winter storm slammed Alberta with heavy snow and howling winds, stranding drivers on highways for over 15 hours. Folks on Highway 63 South of Foreman Murray got stuck in the mess, battling blowing snow that piled up fast. Environment Canada warned of 30 to 50 centimeters in the Woodbuffalo and Locke-Lebiche areas, turning roads into nightmares. RcMP shut down travel in several spots and escorted tow trucks to help out. A crash between two semi-trucks blocked Highway 81 North of Heart Lake, spilling debris both ways. More snow, 2 to 5 centimeters, kept falling south of Foreman Murray until afternoon. Drivers like one guy shared how they huddled for warmth, layering clothes and debating whether to run engines and burn gas. In Calgary, high winds up to 90 kilometers per hour, nixed the comic expo parade, switching it to an indoor party for safety.

1:00Central Alberta spots like old, sundry, and even Edmonton saw gusts rip patio furniture around, blanketing streets in fresh snow. The storm stretched into northern Saskatchewan and Manitoba, dumping 18 to 25 centimeters there with more on the way. Winds are easing up today and overnight as snow tapers off. And hey, meteorologists say this moisture is a bonus heading into forest fire season. They're shaking off the late chill, but drive safe out there.