Friday, April 22nd 2022, 4:33 pm - Folks across Alberta’s central and northern foothills contended with a sudden, overachieving burst of snow for the Friday morning commute.
A surprise, overachieving swath of snow formed over Alberta’s central and northern foothills during Friday’s morning commute, dumping double-digit snowfall totals across the Calgary metro. The vigorous snowfall sent crews scurrying to keep the roads clear amid the furious pace of the flakes.
The snow started early in Calgary and picked up intensity through the morning commute. Snowfall continued through the noon hour, slowly tapering for most of the foothills through the afternoon.
WATCH: RADAR LOOP OF THE FEISTY SNOW BAND AT ITS PEAK
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) issued a snowfall warning for much of the region as the snow started piling up. The warning advised residents that they could expect 10-15 cm of rapid accumulation during the heavy band.
Forecasters across the board were taken off-guard by the enthusiasm of the vigorous little batch of snow.
The same trough responsible for the high-impact storm looming for the eastern Prairies was also responsible for this sudden burst of snow across the Alberta foothills. The convective nature of the band allowed snowfall rates to exceed all expectations and accumulate in a hurry.
A screenshot of Calgary’s Road Conditions Map during the early afternoon hours on April 22, 2022. (City of Calgary)
Calgary’s road crews were quick to stay on top of the storm. The city’s large fleet of plows and sanders—newly dubbed with adoring names like Eiffel Plower, Plowabunga, and Bob—immediately went to work to facilitate traffic flow amid the unexpected wintry outburst.
The city’s transportation Twitter account reported dozens of accidents and traffic incidents across the community at the height of the storm, which lowered visibility and left roads covered in a thick coating of fluffy snow.
Catch some of the best visuals from Alberta’s sudden snowfall below, as seen across social media.
That was some of the heaviest snow I've seen in Calgary in some time. Honestly, I loved it. Beautiful moisture! #yyc #abstorm @weathernetwork pic.twitter.com/JY9RHK7O69
That was some of the heaviest snow I've seen in Calgary in some time.
— Kyle Brittain (@KyleTWN) Kyle Brittain on Twitter: "That was some of the heaviest snow I've seen in Calgary in some time. Honestly, I loved it. Beautiful moisture! #yyc #abstorm @weathernetwork pic.twitter.com/JY9RHK7O69 / Twitter"
Honestly, I loved it. Beautiful moisture! Kyle Brittain on Twitter: "That was some of the heaviest snow I've seen in Calgary in some time. Honestly, I loved it. Beautiful moisture! #yyc #abstorm @weathernetwork pic.twitter.com/JY9RHK7O69 / Twitter" Kyle Brittain on Twitter: "That was some of the heaviest snow I've seen in Calgary in some time. Honestly, I loved it. Beautiful moisture! #yyc #abstorm @weathernetwork pic.twitter.com/JY9RHK7O69 / Twitter" Kyle Brittain on Twitter: "That was some of the heaviest snow I've seen in Calgary in some time. Honestly, I loved it. Beautiful moisture! #yyc #abstorm @weathernetwork pic.twitter.com/JY9RHK7O69 / Twitter" Kyle Brittain on Twitter: "That was some of the heaviest snow I've seen in Calgary in some time. Honestly, I loved it. Beautiful moisture! #yyc #abstorm @weathernetwork pic.twitter.com/JY9RHK7O69 / Twitter"
UPDATE: Multi-vehicle incident on EB Stoney Tr and Symons Valley Rd NW, the road is closed eastbound. Expect major delays in the area, please use an alternate route if possible. #yyctraffic #yycroads pic.twitter.com/AZ2PQ2gV3t
UPDATE: Multi-vehicle incident on EB Stoney Tr and Symons Valley Rd NW, the road is closed eastbound. Expect major delays in the area, please use an alternate route if possible. YYC Transportation on Twitter: "UPDATE: Multi-vehicle incident on EB Stoney Tr and Symons Valley Rd NW, the road is closed eastbound. Expect major delays in the area, please use an alternate route if possible. #yyctraffic #yycroads pic.twitter.com/AZ2PQ2gV3t / Twitter" YYC Transportation on Twitter: "UPDATE: Multi-vehicle incident on EB Stoney Tr and Symons Valley Rd NW, the road is closed eastbound. Expect major delays in the area, please use an alternate route if possible. #yyctraffic #yycroads pic.twitter.com/AZ2PQ2gV3t / Twitter" YYC Transportation on Twitter: "UPDATE: Multi-vehicle incident on EB Stoney Tr and Symons Valley Rd NW, the road is closed eastbound. Expect major delays in the area, please use an alternate route if possible. #yyctraffic #yycroads pic.twitter.com/AZ2PQ2gV3t / Twitter"
— YYC Transportation (@yyctransport) YYC Transportation on Twitter: "UPDATE: Multi-vehicle incident on EB Stoney Tr and Symons Valley Rd NW, the road is closed eastbound. Expect major delays in the area, please use an alternate route if possible. #yyctraffic #yycroads pic.twitter.com/AZ2PQ2gV3t / Twitter"
CTRiders The snow is really coming down out there! Please ensure you are using extra caution on CTrain platforms, at bus stops and in our Park & Ride lots. Snow crews are out clearing snow as quickly as possible. We appreciate your cooperation. pic.twitter.com/1kFrVkxvX9
Calgary Transit on Twitter: "#CTRiders The snow is really coming down out there! Please ensure you are using extra caution on CTrain platforms, at bus stops and in our Park & Ride lots. Snow crews are out clearing snow as quickly as possible. We appreciate your cooperation. pic.twitter.com/1kFrVkxvX9 / Twitter" The snow is really coming down out there! Please ensure you are using extra caution on CTrain platforms, at bus stops and in our Park & Ride lots. Snow crews are out clearing snow as quickly as possible. We appreciate your cooperation. Calgary Transit on Twitter: "#CTRiders The snow is really coming down out there! Please ensure you are using extra caution on CTrain platforms, at bus stops and in our Park & Ride lots. Snow crews are out clearing snow as quickly as possible. We appreciate your cooperation. pic.twitter.com/1kFrVkxvX9 / Twitter"
— Calgary Transit (@calgarytransit) Calgary Transit on Twitter: "#CTRiders The snow is really coming down out there! Please ensure you are using extra caution on CTrain platforms, at bus stops and in our Park & Ride lots. Snow crews are out clearing snow as quickly as possible. We appreciate your cooperation. pic.twitter.com/1kFrVkxvX9 / Twitter"
Snow will clear out of the Calgary area by late morning, and melt!Nice, compact little vorticity maximum SW of the city supporting these convective flurries this morning #yyc pic.twitter.com/yTs0WA8w1A
Snow will clear out of the Calgary area by late morning, and melt!
— Kyle Brittain (@KyleTWN) Kyle Brittain on Twitter: "Snow will clear out of the Calgary area by late morning, and melt!Nice, compact little vorticity maximum SW of the city supporting these convective flurries this morning #yyc pic.twitter.com/yTs0WA8w1A / Twitter"
Nice, compact little vorticity maximum SW of the city supporting these convective flurries this morning Kyle Brittain on Twitter: "Snow will clear out of the Calgary area by late morning, and melt!Nice, compact little vorticity maximum SW of the city supporting these convective flurries this morning #yyc pic.twitter.com/yTs0WA8w1A / Twitter" Kyle Brittain on Twitter: "Snow will clear out of the Calgary area by late morning, and melt!Nice, compact little vorticity maximum SW of the city supporting these convective flurries this morning #yyc pic.twitter.com/yTs0WA8w1A / Twitter"
Still dumping in the NW. 9:48 AM. 2°C, 3 cm accumulation. #yyc #abstorm @KyleTWN @ryanhardingctv @CTVStanfield pic.twitter.com/sfPsjeFiP4
Still dumping in the NW. 9:48 AM. 2°C, 3 cm accumulation. Colin Smith on Twitter: "Still dumping in the NW. 9:48 AM. 2°C, 3 cm accumulation. #yyc #abstorm @KyleTWN @ryanhardingctv @CTVStanfield pic.twitter.com/sfPsjeFiP4 / Twitter" Colin Smith on Twitter: "Still dumping in the NW. 9:48 AM. 2°C, 3 cm accumulation. #yyc #abstorm @KyleTWN @ryanhardingctv @CTVStanfield pic.twitter.com/sfPsjeFiP4 / Twitter" Colin Smith on Twitter: "Still dumping in the NW. 9:48 AM. 2°C, 3 cm accumulation. #yyc #abstorm @KyleTWN @ryanhardingctv @CTVStanfield pic.twitter.com/sfPsjeFiP4 / Twitter" Colin Smith on Twitter: "Still dumping in the NW. 9:48 AM. 2°C, 3 cm accumulation. #yyc #abstorm @KyleTWN @ryanhardingctv @CTVStanfield pic.twitter.com/sfPsjeFiP4 / Twitter" Colin Smith on Twitter: "Still dumping in the NW. 9:48 AM. 2°C, 3 cm accumulation. #yyc #abstorm @KyleTWN @ryanhardingctv @CTVStanfield pic.twitter.com/sfPsjeFiP4 / Twitter" Colin Smith on Twitter: "Still dumping in the NW. 9:48 AM. 2°C, 3 cm accumulation. #yyc #abstorm @KyleTWN @ryanhardingctv @CTVStanfield pic.twitter.com/sfPsjeFiP4 / Twitter"
— Colin Smith (@pwrsmith) Colin Smith on Twitter: "Still dumping in the NW. 9:48 AM. 2°C, 3 cm accumulation. #yyc #abstorm @KyleTWN @ryanhardingctv @CTVStanfield pic.twitter.com/sfPsjeFiP4 / Twitter"
Holy smokes...time to go for a walk! #yyc #abstorm 908AM ❄️❄️❄️ pic.twitter.com/xUboHy74BM
Holy smokes...time to go for a walk! Kyle Brittain on Twitter: "Holy smokes...time to go for a walk! #yyc #abstorm 908AM ❄️❄️❄️ pic.twitter.com/xUboHy74BM / Twitter" Kyle Brittain on Twitter: "Holy smokes...time to go for a walk! #yyc #abstorm 908AM ❄️❄️❄️ pic.twitter.com/xUboHy74BM / Twitter" 908AM ❄️❄️❄️ Kyle Brittain on Twitter: "Holy smokes...time to go for a walk! #yyc #abstorm 908AM ❄️❄️❄️ pic.twitter.com/xUboHy74BM / Twitter"
— Kyle Brittain (@KyleTWN) Kyle Brittain on Twitter: "Holy smokes...time to go for a walk! #yyc #abstorm 908AM ❄️❄️❄️ pic.twitter.com/xUboHy74BM / Twitter"
And it's officially puking #snow in #Kananaskis valley @SkiNakiska -1c #abstorm #ShareYourWeather #April2022 slomo in reply pic.twitter.com/qwsMGkm7xc
And it’s officially puking Tom Graham on Twitter: "And it's officially puking #snow in #Kananaskis valley @SkiNakiska -1c #abstorm #ShareYourWeather #April2022 slomo in reply pic.twitter.com/qwsMGkm7xc / Twitter" in Tom Graham on Twitter: "And it's officially puking #snow in #Kananaskis valley @SkiNakiska -1c #abstorm #ShareYourWeather #April2022 slomo in reply pic.twitter.com/qwsMGkm7xc / Twitter" valley Tom Graham on Twitter: "And it's officially puking #snow in #Kananaskis valley @SkiNakiska -1c #abstorm #ShareYourWeather #April2022 slomo in reply pic.twitter.com/qwsMGkm7xc / Twitter" -1c Tom Graham on Twitter: "And it's officially puking #snow in #Kananaskis valley @SkiNakiska -1c #abstorm #ShareYourWeather #April2022 slomo in reply pic.twitter.com/qwsMGkm7xc / Twitter" Tom Graham on Twitter: "And it's officially puking #snow in #Kananaskis valley @SkiNakiska -1c #abstorm #ShareYourWeather #April2022 slomo in reply pic.twitter.com/qwsMGkm7xc / Twitter" Tom Graham on Twitter: "And it's officially puking #snow in #Kananaskis valley @SkiNakiska -1c #abstorm #ShareYourWeather #April2022 slomo in reply pic.twitter.com/qwsMGkm7xc / Twitter" slomo in reply Tom Graham on Twitter: "And it's officially puking #snow in #Kananaskis valley @SkiNakiska -1c #abstorm #ShareYourWeather #April2022 slomo in reply pic.twitter.com/qwsMGkm7xc / Twitter"
— Tom Graham (@Washed_Up) Tom Graham on Twitter: "And it's officially puking #snow in #Kananaskis valley @SkiNakiska -1c #abstorm #ShareYourWeather #April2022 slomo in reply pic.twitter.com/qwsMGkm7xc / Twitter"
I'm just gonna go back to bed. #yyc #abstorm pic.twitter.com/9Gz3E1zaER
I’m just gonna go back to bed. Andrew Cunningham on Twitter: "I'm just gonna go back to bed. #yyc #abstorm pic.twitter.com/9Gz3E1zaER / Twitter" Andrew Cunningham on Twitter: "I'm just gonna go back to bed. #yyc #abstorm pic.twitter.com/9Gz3E1zaER / Twitter" Andrew Cunningham on Twitter: "I'm just gonna go back to bed. #yyc #abstorm pic.twitter.com/9Gz3E1zaER / Twitter"
— Andrew Cunningham (@idledmuse) Andrew Cunningham on Twitter: "I'm just gonna go back to bed. #yyc #abstorm pic.twitter.com/9Gz3E1zaER / Twitter"
Puking at the same rate in #Airdrie right now as well! #abstorm ❄️ pic.twitter.com/HwWMXMiFH0
Puking at the same rate in Curtis Mason 🇺🇦 🇨🇦 on Twitter: "Puking at the same rate in #Airdrie right now as well! #abstorm ❄️ pic.twitter.com/HwWMXMiFH0 / Twitter" right now as well! Curtis Mason 🇺🇦 🇨🇦 on Twitter: "Puking at the same rate in #Airdrie right now as well! #abstorm ❄️ pic.twitter.com/HwWMXMiFH0 / Twitter" ❄️ Curtis Mason 🇺🇦 🇨🇦 on Twitter: "Puking at the same rate in #Airdrie right now as well! #abstorm ❄️ pic.twitter.com/HwWMXMiFH0 / Twitter"
— Curtis Mason 🇺🇦 🇨🇦 (@cmasoncalgary) Curtis Mason 🇺🇦 🇨🇦 on Twitter: "Puking at the same rate in #Airdrie right now as well! #abstorm ❄️ pic.twitter.com/HwWMXMiFH0 / Twitter"
Thumbnail courtesy of Maureen Wharton in Calgary.