Calgary digs out from 35+ cm storm, reinforcements called

Wednesday, October 3, 2018, 8:57 PM - The snow has ended in Alberta, but Tuesday's significant and record breaking WALLOP has certainly left its mark on the region. Calgary ground to a halt after nearly 40 cm of snow hammered the city, prompting appeals to neighbouring cities -- and as far away as Edmonton -- for additional snow removal equipment. This unusually cold pattern however, is set to last through the first half of October, meaning these massive mounds of snow aren't likely to go anywhere. See it, below.

(More snow or sunny skies? See what the next three months have in store | Official Fall 2018 forecast)

RECORD BREAKING SNOW

Amounts across Calgary were varied, but with the previous one-day record for October 2nd sitting at a modest 4.6 cm, it's safe to say much of the city can pen a hefty new total in the record books. In some places, the one-day record for all of October -- 30 cm, set in 1914 -- was broken, as unofficial observations sat near a whopping 40 cm by Tuesday night.

7TH SNOWIEST DAY ON RECORD FOR CALGARY....

SNOW ROUTE PARKING BAN

As crews struggled to keep up with the snowfall on Tuesday, both Calgary Police and City of Calgary Transportation encouraged residents to stay off the roads if possible. A snow route parking ban went into effect for designated snow routes Wednesday morning at 10 a.m., set to last until Saturday morning at 10 a.m., as clean up continues, with the help of additional crews coming in from Edmonton, Medicine Hat, and Red Deer.

A section of the Trans-Canada Highway was shut down late Tuesday afternoon, leaving motorists stranded as road conditions deteriorated significantly. It was reopened late Wednesday morning. 

Police say there were over 250 collisions reported in the city of Calgary alone between 11 pm on Monday and 3:30 pm on Tuesday. Elsewhere, RCMP responded to more than 80 collisions in southern Alberta between 10:30 a.m. Tuesday and 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.

STAYING LOCKED IN THE COLD

For those of you hoping for a speedy snow melt, this unusually cold pattern is set to continue through the first half of October with reinforcing blasts of arctic air.

"And we're closely watching the timing and track of another Colorado Low for next Monday and Tuesday, which could be a strong system with an early winter-like storm on the western side," says Weather Network meteorologist Dr. Doug Gillham. "We're cautiously optimistic that Alberta gets some relief from the early winter-like pattern during the second half of October."

TRAVEL ALERTS, DANGEROUS DRIVING, A 'BEAUTIFUL BEAST.'  YOUR SNOW PHOTOS: