Spring snow, high winds wallop Prairies, stranding vehicles and causing crashes

CALGARY, ALBERTA, CANADA – Spring may be in the air, but on the Prairies winter held on by its icy fingernails Friday, stranding cars, closing roads, toppling trees and even cancelling the parade for Calgary’s comic book expo.

The Parade of Wonders was supposed to move through the city’s downtown in the morning but was called off due to high winds.

Organizers said an indoor “Party of Wonders” would run instead.

“This decision was not made lightly, but made with the safety of participants as first priority, and in accordance with recommendations from trusted production partners,” Expo organizers said in a statement. 

Environment Canada issued a wind warning for the city, with gusts up to 90 km/h, amid reports of some fallen trees.

Calgary was not alone.

Parts of Alberta and northern Saskatchewan through to northern Manitoba were walloped by snow and wind.

In northern Alberta, Mounties said a stretch of Highway 63, the main artery south of Fort McMurray, remains impassable due to high winds and blowing snow. 

Police have been escorting multiple tow trucks along the highway to reach stranded vehicles.

In Edmonton, residents who had to rescue patio furniture skittering away in howling winds Thursday night woke up to a blanket of snow, with more flakes landing in horizontal sheets as the day wore on.

In Saskatchewan, some areas in the northeast were hit with anywhere between 18 to 25 centimetres and more was expected into the weekend.

As of Friday, travel was not recommended in the region and one highway near the Manitoba boundary was closed.

Joe Hordyski, the mayor of La Ronge, Sask., said his residents were running out of places to shovel the snow.

But he believes the best thing for everyone is to let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. 

“Our water levels are really low,” Hordyski said. “With the event we had last year, we certainly want to make sure we’ve got moisture.”

Last year, nearby wildfires forced the town’s residents to flee for safety. The blaze also destroyed an old trading post.

“(The snow) is a bit of an inconvenience, but at the same time, it’s kind of a blessing,” Hordyski said.

Brian Proctor, a meteorologist with environment Canada, also called the snow welcome.

“Heavy snowfall in the boreal forest will help us moving forward in a better way (as we enter) forest fire season,” he said.

Rural school bus routes throughout Saskatchewan’s northern areas have also been cancelled.

In Meadow Lake, Sask., Amanda Flasch said it might take crews a few days to clear out the snow.

“I think we’re all tired of winter,” said Flasch, the city’s manager.

In Saskatoon, police warned drivers to be careful after responding to 16 collisions. The snow also delayed buses getting children to school.

In Regina, drivers navigated brown slushy streets alongside medians dusted white with snow.

Proctor said additional snow could pose future flooding risks. 

Some communities in Saskatchewan and Manitoba have been preparing for potential flooding due to higher water levels.

In Manitoba, Environment Canada issued blizzard and storm warnings from Flin Flon to Shamattawa. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 24, 2026.