| Pedestrians try to cross the street downton after an overnight dump of snow covers Edmonton, February 25, 2012. |
EDMONTON - Winter weather returned with a vengeance Saturday when Edmonton was hit with more snow in one day than has fallen on the city since the season started.
About 15 centimetres of snow had accumulated at the Edmonton International Airport by nighttime, compared to the 11.4 centimetres that has come down since winter began Dec. 22, and up to 20 centimetres was expected by the time the storm winds down overnight, according to Environment Canada.
There was 17 centimetres in Stony Plain, while Camrose saw between 15 and 20 centimetres, forecasters said.
The sudden return to more seasonal conditions may be good for local skiers and snowman-builders, but not for those stuck shovelling the white stuff.
“It’s horrible,” said 16-year-old Joey Marett, who donned a balaclava and ski jacket to clear the walk outside his home on 89th Street north of Commonwealth Stadium.
“Snow isn’t the best thing about winter,” he added. “I end up shovelling because my mom isn’t able to because she’s physically disabled, and my brother and sister are lazy.”
Nearby, Michael LePretre pushed through the drifts along 114th Avenue with his kids Julian, 6, and Angelique, 4, in tow.
The three had already made their way several blocks to the bus, ridden to Kingsway Garden Mall, then trudged all the way back home.
“I would rather have summertime,” LePretre said. “I want to be walking around without my shirt on.”
By 6 p.m. the RCMP had responded to 109 collisions throughout the province, spokeswoman Doris Stapleton said. None of the collisions were fatal.
Edmonton had 110 sanders and plows clearing the roads throughout the day, giving priority to slippery hills, bridges and freeways, said transportation department spokeswoman Laura McNabb.
Private contractors with graders were expected to be called out around midnight, she said.
The city will issue a parking ban along residential bus routes if there are significant snow accumulations.
If the ban is necessary, the city will try to announce it by 1 p.m. Sunday so people have time to move their vehicles before the order takes effect Monday morning.
A&J Driving School in west Edmonton was still running in-car lessons despite the conditions, but the snow did get in the way, owner Rajinder Bajwa said.
“I don’t know if there are any places to practice any parallel parking, because there is a pretty good chance of getting stuck.”
While instructors weren’t taking out brand-new students, the snow-covered roads gave more experienced motorists a chance to practise their winter-driving skills, such as braking sooner and taking a careful approach to lane changes, Bajwa said.
“It’s really good exposure for them.”
The snow is also helpful for gardeners, who’ve been concerned by the last couple of months of dry weather, said Karen Bass, garden centre manager at Greenland Garden Centre in Sherwood Park.
The blanket of white insulates plants from cold, then sends moisture to their roots once it melts in the spring.
Conditions on major roads north, west and south of Edmonton were listed in fair to poor condition by the Alberta Motor Association throughout the day, with drivers at one point reporting almost zero visibility between Edmonton and Leduc, said Randy Loyk, the AMA’s manager of technical services.
Highway 16 east to Lloydminster was in fair to good condition by the afternoon. The waiting time for service calls, winching and towing was at least 60 to 70 minutes, Loyk said.
“Our call volume has probably doubled from a normal Saturday,” he said. “If you don’t have to go out today and tomorrow, don’t.”
There was 17 centimetres in Stony Plain, while Camrose saw between 15 and 20 centimetres, forecasters said.
The sudden return to more seasonal conditions may be good for local skiers and snowman-builders, but not for those stuck shovelling the white stuff.
“It’s horrible,” said 16-year-old Joey Marett, who donned a balaclava and ski jacket to clear the walk outside his home on 89th Street north of Commonwealth Stadium.
“Snow isn’t the best thing about winter,” he added. “I end up shovelling because my mom isn’t able to because she’s physically disabled, and my brother and sister are lazy.”
Nearby, Michael LePretre pushed through the drifts along 114th Avenue with his kids Julian, 6, and Angelique, 4, in tow.
The three had already made their way several blocks to the bus, ridden to Kingsway Garden Mall, then trudged all the way back home.
“I would rather have summertime,” LePretre said. “I want to be walking around without my shirt on.”
By 6 p.m. the RCMP had responded to 109 collisions throughout the province, spokeswoman Doris Stapleton said. None of the collisions were fatal.
Edmonton had 110 sanders and plows clearing the roads throughout the day, giving priority to slippery hills, bridges and freeways, said transportation department spokeswoman Laura McNabb.
Private contractors with graders were expected to be called out around midnight, she said.
The city will issue a parking ban along residential bus routes if there are significant snow accumulations.
If the ban is necessary, the city will try to announce it by 1 p.m. Sunday so people have time to move their vehicles before the order takes effect Monday morning.
A&J Driving School in west Edmonton was still running in-car lessons despite the conditions, but the snow did get in the way, owner Rajinder Bajwa said.
“I don’t know if there are any places to practice any parallel parking, because there is a pretty good chance of getting stuck.”
While instructors weren’t taking out brand-new students, the snow-covered roads gave more experienced motorists a chance to practise their winter-driving skills, such as braking sooner and taking a careful approach to lane changes, Bajwa said.
“It’s really good exposure for them.”
The snow is also helpful for gardeners, who’ve been concerned by the last couple of months of dry weather, said Karen Bass, garden centre manager at Greenland Garden Centre in Sherwood Park.
The blanket of white insulates plants from cold, then sends moisture to their roots once it melts in the spring.
Conditions on major roads north, west and south of Edmonton were listed in fair to poor condition by the Alberta Motor Association throughout the day, with drivers at one point reporting almost zero visibility between Edmonton and Leduc, said Randy Loyk, the AMA’s manager of technical services.
Highway 16 east to Lloydminster was in fair to good condition by the afternoon. The waiting time for service calls, winching and towing was at least 60 to 70 minutes, Loyk said.
“Our call volume has probably doubled from a normal Saturday,” he said. “If you don’t have to go out today and tomorrow, don’t.”
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