Late-season blizzard hits Alberta, zero visibility leads to more than 150 crashes, Canada

An intense late-season snowstorm hit Alberta, Canada early Saturday, April 27, 2018, forcing officials to issue winter weather warnings. Zero visibility caused multiple car crashes, leaving more than 20 people injured.

Approximately 30 cm (11.8 inches) of snow fell on Carrot Creek and Rimbey, 6.7 cm (2.6 inches) on Red Deer and up to 14 cm (5.5 inches) on Edmonton as of 12:39 local time, April 27. Up to 20 cm (7.9 inches) of snow was recorded in and around Calgary by 22:30 LT.

Calgary police said they responded to 147 calls related to road conditions and closures.

The snow was accompanied with winds up to 82 km/h (51 mph).

The system caused zero visibility in parts of the state, forced road and highway closures and resulted in more than 150 crashes before the day's end, 18 of them with injuries.

62 departure and 28 arriving flights were canceled, Calgary Airport Authority said.

Winter weather alerts had been lifted in all but three areas - Cypress Hills, Lethbridge and Medicine had - as of 10:00 LT, April 28.

Featured image credit: Sam Kaz @ksa0510