yellow warning - winter storm - in effect Hazardous winter conditions will develop Wednesday morning. Very poor visibility in blowing snow is likely as heavy snow, with total amounts of 15 to 25 cm, combines with strong gusty winds Wednesday morning. The heaviest snowfall is likely between Hwy 16 east of Edmonton and Hwy 12 east of Red Deer. Local amounts of 30 cm are possible. Blizzard conditions are also likely to develop in areas nearest the Saskatchewan border, particularly between Hwy 14 and Hwy 9 from Wainwright to Oyen. Wind gusts to 90 km/h in conjunction with falling and blowing snow will reduce visibility to near zero in this area. Further south, freezing rain is likely for several hours near Hwy 9 east of Drumheller to the Saskatchewan border. By afternoon, freezing rain will transition to snow and blowing snow in this area. A sharp drop in temperature is also likely to occur, as much as 15 degrees in three hours. For areas between Hwy 1 and Hwy 9 any remaining slush or ponding water is likely to freeze as temperatures drop rapidly on Wednesday afternoon and evening. ### Travel will likely be challenging. Road closures are possible. Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to ABstorm@ec.gc.ca, call 1-800-239-0484 or post reports on X using #ABStorm. For more information about the alerting program, please visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/severeweather/weather-alerts/colour-coded-alerts. Prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions. Consider postponing non-essential travel and outdoor activities until conditions improve. Prepare for some disruptions to transportation, services, and utilities.
