Wind warning, snow squall watch for St. Albert

Drivers especially are warned of strong 90 km/h wind gusts Thursday afternoon in St. Albert.

Currently there are two Environment Canada advisories in place for the Capital Region. A wind warning was issued at 4:34 a.m. with the agency’s hourly forecast indicating sustained winds this morning of 50 km/h with 80 km/h gusts easing to 30 km/h with 50 km/h gusts around lunch, then re-intensifying to 70 km/h sustained with 90 km/h gusts just in time for the drive home.

“Loose objects may be tossed by the wind and cause injury or damage,” the warning reads. “Motorists, especially in high profile vehicles, may expect hazardous driving conditions on highways subject to strong cross winds.

“Winds will weaken this evening.”

There is also a snow squall watch in place as of 8:04 a.m.

“A narrow band of snow squalls is expected to develop this morning, producing brief but intense snowfall, poor visibility, and gusty winds to 80 km/h,” it reads,

“Snow squalls cause weather conditions to vary considerably; changes from clear skies to heavy snow within just a few kilometres are common.

“Travel may be hazardous due to sudden changes in the weather. Visibility may be significantly and suddenly reduced to near zero.”

Aside from the flurries and wind, Thursday’s forecast is relatively pleasant with the temperature expected to reach 2 C, with the significant wind making it feel more like -12.

About 2 cm of snow is expected to accumulate Thursday.

In the evening, the wind will continue its dance, coming from the northwest at 70 km/h gusting to 90 km/h, diminishing to 50 km/h gusting to 80 km/h, then to 30 km/h gusting to 50 km/h near midnight, with a low of -9 C.