Josh Classen: Icy start to Wednesday, sunny and windy later on
Freezing rain this morning will give way to sunny breaks and windy conditions for this afternoon in the Edmonton area.
As we've been talking about for the past few days, many roads and sidewalks have been covered in a sheet of ice (again).
Highways from Whitecourt and Athabasca south to Red Deer and east to the Saskatchewan border have been hit with freezing rain and/or wet snow.
511 Alberta is reporting a multi-vehicle collision in south Leduc on the QE2 and a jackknifed semi on Highway 13 just west Wetaskiwin.
If you can stay off highways in central and north-central Alberta, that's the safest bet this morning.
Some roads in the city of Edmonton are more wet and slushy, rather than hard ice. But, it may be tough to tell as other roads have glare ice that appears wet.
As always, give yourself some extra time on the roads and some extra stopping time between you and the vehicle in front of you.
The freezing rain should end by mid morning. But, wind will start to gust this afternoon and that'll polish of the surfaces.
While the afternoon/evening commute won't have falling precipitation, roads will still be very icy in areas.
Here's what's coming next:
Temperatures will top out just slightly above zero midday and then a cold front will sweep in from the northwest.
That'll kick up the wind and temperatures will start to drop.
So...we're looking at gusts in the 40-50 km/h range this afternoon and temperatures around -3 C by late afternoon.
Partly cloudy skies and highs in the -2 to -6 C range Thursday and Friday. That puts us right around average for this time of year.
We'll get another push of warm air for Saturday with temperatures climbing several degrees above zero.
THEN...cooler air returns for Sunday/Monday.
Here's the forecast for Edmonton:
Today - Freezing rain and wet snow ending mid to late morning.
Sunny breaks and windy this afternoon. Gusts in the 40-50 km/h range.
Noon: 1
5pm: -3
Tonight - Partly cloudy. Wind easing early in the evening.
9pm: -6
Thursday - Partly cloudy.
Morning Low: -9
Afternoon High: -4
Friday - Mix of sun & cloud.
Morning Low: -11
Afternoon High: -3
Saturday - Mix of sun & cloud.
Morning Low: -8
Afternoon High: 3
Sunday - Partly cloudy.
Morning Low: -11
Afternoon High: -4
Monday - Partly cloudy.
Morning Low: -13
Afternoon High: -9
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, Ontario police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.
Motion to allow keffiyehs at Ontario legislature fails
A motion to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh within Queen’s Park failed to receive unanimous consent Thursday just moments after Ontario Premier Doug Ford reiterated his view that prohibiting the garment in the House is divisive.
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
Taylor Swift's new album allegedly 'leaked' on social media and it's causing a frenzy
A Google Drive link allegedly containing 17 tracks that are purportedly from Swift's eagerly awaited "The Tortured Poets Department" album has been making the rounds on the internet in the past day and people are equal parts mad, sad and happy about it.
What does it mean to be 'house poor' and how can you avoid it?
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
Allman Brothers Band co-founder and legendary guitarist Dickey Betts dies at 80
Guitar legend Dickey Betts, who co-founded the Allman Brothers Band and wrote their biggest hit, 'Ramblin' Man,' has died. He was 80.