Winter Just Came Back Hard
After weeks of unusually mild weather, Calgary got hit with a reality check Tuesday. A powerful winter storm swept through the city bringing heavy snow, near-zero visibility, and wind chills that dropped to -31°C the kind of day that reminds you this is still Alberta in February.
What Environment Canada Is Saying and Police are saying
Environment Canada issued a Yellow Winter Storm Warning for Calgary, rating the impact level as moderate with very high forecast confidence. The agency is calling conditions "hazardous and blizzard-like," with total snowfall accumulations of 15 to 25 cm across the city and local amounts hitting up to 40 cm in parts of east-central Alberta.
Strong winds gusting up to 80 km/h are making things worse, reducing visibility to near zero at times. The storm began Monday evening and is expected to taper off Tuesday night.
Environment Canada is recommending Calgarians avoid non-essential travel, take frequent breaks when shoveling, and continue monitoring alerts at weather.gc.ca.
Roads Are a Mess
RCMP issued a travel advisory for the QEII highway after southbound lanes near Didsbury became completely impassable due to blowing snow and multiple collisions. Calgary Police reported 68 collisions between midnight and noon Tuesday seven involving injuries and nine classified as hit-and-runs.
The McKnight Boulevard N.E. exit ramps to Deerfoot Trail were closed after jackknifed semis blocked the road. City crews have been out since Monday night but drivers should still expect rough evening commute conditions.
Flying Out of YYC? Check Your Flight
Calgary International Airport confirmed flight delays and cancellations, with 23 flights grounded by 9 a.m. Tuesday morning. If you have travel plans, check your airline directly before heading to the airport.
The "Weather Whiplash" Effect
Environment Canada meteorologist Terri Lang described the storm as a "weather whiplash" a sharp cold snap following Calgary's unusually long stretch of dry, mild winter weather. Temperatures fell to -19°C by the afternoon, making the contrast with recent mild days feel especially brutal.
Stay Safe Out There
If you don't need to be on the road tonight, stay home. Report severe weather to Environment Canada at ABstorm@ec.gc.ca or post on X using #ABStorm.
Source: Environment Canada Yellow Winter Storm Warning, February 17, 2026 weather.gc.ca
