Storm ushers in blackouts, icy roads

High winds and blowing snow have once again knocked out power to southern Alberta, this time leaving at least 50,000 homes in the dark.

The spring storm rolled into Calgary and surrounding areas overnight, creating icy conditions and zero visibility on some highways Tuesday.

Jennifer McGowan, a spokeswoman for electricity provider Fortis, said Taber and Medicine Hat are experiencing the most blackouts.

"The wind definitely picked up and had picked up throughout the day and caused havoc on both the transmission and the distribution systems. We hope to have power back on to our customers at some point today, keeping the weather in mind," she said.

RCMP advised motorists to stay off Highway 2 north of Calgary amid slippery conditions and reduced visibility along the busy road in Carstairs, Bowden and Red Deer. Police responded to numerous crashes.

"We've got trucks in the ditch and people aren't slowing down. That's the biggest problem out here every time: speed. People just can't slow down enough," said trucker Sean Soutar.

Winds gusting up to 110 km/h and snowdrifts made driving treacherous.

Environment Canada lifted its wind warning for Calgary and the surrounding area on Tuesday afternoon as the low pressure system tracked southeast to North Dakota.

Ten to 15 centimetres of snow combined with strong winds was expected in the Cypress Hills area and regions of the province near the U.S. border.

This storm comes less than a week after wet snow and high winds pummelled southern Alberta, cutting electricity to some rural areas for days.

Broken glass falls from downtown building

High winds caused the majority of problems in Calgary. Some of the larger construction sites were shut down until the storm blew through.

"My work isn't difficult because I run the machines but other people, yeah. The ironworkers — I wouldn't climb up there, not unless I grew feathers first. You'd have to be a bird to walk up there," said Mike Morley, another construction worker.

"But this weather it's too slippery, the wind and the ice, but mainly the wind. It's just too dangerous."

The fire department's high angle team had to remove pieces of glass from a large broken window on the 13th floor of a building at 622 First Street S.W. There were reports of glass falling onto the street below, but no one was injured.

The area was closed to vehicles until the firefighters finished the job.

"It could've been something blown into it or a bird flying into it, we don't know," said battalion fire chief Ernie Molineaux.