A powerful wind and rain system is sweeping through central Alberta today, prompting Environment Canada to issue a Yellow Wind Warning for Edmonton, St. Albert, and Sherwood Park. Gusts of 90 to 100 km/h are forecast through the afternoon, with conditions expected to ease tonight.
As of 11:33 AM, winds at Edmonton Blatchford are sitting at 24 km/h gusting to 42 km/h pressure is rising, suggesting the worst of the system may already be moving through.
The system is being driven by a strong low pressure centre pushing southeast across the province. Winds out of the northwest have been building since early this morning and are expected to continue through the afternoon before gradually weakening tonight.
It isn't the first time this spring. A nearly identical system rolled through Alberta on March 8, bringing gusts of 80 to 121 km/h across the province. It ripped sections of roof off a school in Swan Hills, flipped semi-trailers, knocked out power to roughly 8,000 residents, and blew a metal shed into a yard in west Edmonton's Meadowlark neighbourhood. The strongest gust recorded that day was 121 km/h in Two Hills. Today's system is forecast to peak just below that — but in the same ballpark.
Environment Canada is warning that damage to roofs, fences, branches, and soft structures is possible. Loose objects should be secured. Anyone outside should watch for flying debris.
On the Roads
Driving conditions are expected to be difficult through the morning and afternoon. High-sided vehicles semis, box trucks, RVs are at the highest risk and could be overturned on open stretches of highway. During the March storm, RCMP near Airdrie responded to multiple crashes on the QEII as the system moved through. Environment Canada is advising operators of high-sided vehicles to delay travel until tonight when winds ease.
Rain is adding to the hazard. Between 10 and 20 mm of precipitation is forecast by tomorrow morning, with the heaviest amounts falling today.
Power Outages
Local utility outages are possible. EPCOR has acknowledged its electrical system can be compromised in high-wind events and is urging residents not to approach downed power lines or any branches tangled in wires stay at least 10 metres back.
Live outage information for Edmonton is available at outages.epcor.com. Residents can sign up there for text alerts tied to their address.
What to Watch For
The worst of the wind is expected to persist through this afternoon. Conditions should begin improving tonight as the low moves east, with gusts dropping to around 54 km/h by evening. Temperatures behind the system will fall heading into the long weekend, with the possibility of rain changing to snow in parts of Alberta by Friday.
Environment Canada is asking anyone who observes severe weather to report it by emailing ABstorm@ec.gc.ca, calling 1-800-239-0484, or posting to X using #ABStorm.
Sources
Environment Canada Wind Warning — issued 4:51 AM MDT May 14, 2026; City of Edmonton, St. Albert, Sherwood Park: weather.gc.ca
Environment Canada Special Weather Statement — issued 9:41 PM MDT May 12, 2026
EPCOR Power Outage Map: outages.epcor.com
