Environment Canada is warning residents in much of Alberta and southern Saskatchewan to secure loose objects and expect damage as strong winds whip through, leaving thousands of residents in the dark.
The warnings are in place for most areas from the Alberta-U. S. boundary to Fort McMurray and southwestern Saskatchewan. Wind speeds are between 90 and 110 km/h and are expected to ease down Sunday evening.
Special weather statements for wind have been posted for southeastern B.C., although a stronger warning is in place for the Fraser Valley, where gusts could reach 90 km/h.
High-sided vehicles could be pushed around by the wind, and there could be damage to roofs, fences, tress and soft shelters, said Environment Canada.
Spring has not sprung in Alberta
Tanya Croft, a spokeswoman with Fortis Alberta, said in a statement that a fast-moving winter storm has left multiple power outages across the province, with an estimated 8,000 residents without power.
“Strong winds and heavy snow are causing downed power lines, trees contacting power lines and infrastructure damage,” read the statement.
Residents are reminded to stay at least 10 metres away from downed power lines and avoid damaged electrical equipment, said Croft.
Alberta power company ATCO also shows some power outages in northwestern Alberta.
British Columbia power utility B.C. Hydro says about 1,900 customers are without lights in the southern interior, with about half of those customers in Vernon.
Most of the outages are caused by trees and branches that brought down power lines, the company says, noting it’s aiming to have the lights back on later Sunday.
In southern Alberta, damaging winds may be accompanied by snow, including in Calgary, along the foothills, and in the areas of Banff, Strathmore, Waterton Lakes and Vulcan, where up to 20 centimetres of snow will fall before it tapers off Sunday night.
