Freezing rain warnings issued as icy drizzle hits Edmonton, parts of northern Alberta
Snow pellets and freezing rain make for a tricky weather mix
Freezing rain doused communities across Alberta Wednesday making highways slick, glazing busy parking lots and freezing city streets into slush-covered glass.
Environment Canada has issued freezing rain warnings for a large swath of the province. As of Wednesday morning, more than 60 of the warnings were in effect.
According to the national weather agency, freezing rain developed from Grande Prairie through to Whitecourt Wednesday morning, before moving toward Edmonton.
Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots were expected to remain icy and slippery.
Environment Canada also cautioned that utility outages could occur due to damage from the freezing rain.
Edmonton's forecast calls for a particularly poor combination of weather conditions, with ice pellets and up to four centimetres of snow expected to mix with the freezing rain, an icy windchill and blustery winds.
Conditions are expected to improve across the province by late Wednesday afternoon, Environment Canada said.
Drivers are being urged to exercise caution in the poor conditions.
