Spring storm brings snowfall warnings for Calgary, southern Alberta

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Wet, heavy snow that toppled trees and led to power outages in Calgary on Tuesday is expected to continue later into the week, with snowfall warnings in effect.

As areas west of the city under a snowfall warning brace for accumulations of 30 to 50 centimetres, parts of Calgary can expect 10 to 15 cm, said Environment Canada.

Snowfall warnings came into effect for Calgary late Tuesday afternoon. Environment Canada said a second round of heavy snow is expected to begin overnight and continue through Wednesday.

Due to accumulating snow and ice, the city postponed street sweeping for the communities of Scenic Acres, Somerset, Riverbend, Quarry Park, Willow Park, Wildwood, Spruce Cliff and Shaganappi.

City of Calgary mobility spokesman Chris McGeachy said postponed communities can watch the city’s website for new dates, which should be available within 24 hours. It is expected sweeping dates will be rescheduled to June.

Sweeping will continue as planned for the communities of Bridgeland, Panorama Hills, Whitehorn and University Heights, and is expected to continue as scheduled on Wednesday — weather permitting.

More than 2,000 Enmax customers were affected at the height of power outages early Tuesday, which were still being fixed throughout the morning.

As of late Tuesday afternoon, nearly all the outages had been repaired.

In an emailed statement, Enmax said its system can withstand temperature variations and other extreme weather conditions, including heavy snowfall. “However, downed branches and trees can pose a risk to power lines and public safety.”

An Enmax worker clears a power line downed by a fallen tree off Fairmount Drive S.E. in Calgary on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. Brent Calver/Postmedia

The city’s 311 line had 175 service requests for tree concerns as of late Tuesday, up from 22 earlier in the morning.

“It appears that the south half of the city was impacted more than the north,” read a statement from the city. “Urban forestry staff are assessing damage to trees and determining which need to be pruned or removed due to safety concerns.”

Officials encouraged residents to report trees that appear damaged on city property by calling 311.