Multiple crashes on Calgary roads as weather takes a turn
Upward of five centimetres of snow fell in Calgary early Friday morning and officials said at that time that conditions were good, but the situation deteriorated later on Friday, leading to plenty of crashes and road closures.
Calgary police told CTV News that between midnight and 8:30 a.m., they were called to 24 crashes (five that involved injuries and 19 that did not) as well as four hit-and-runs. Between 8:30 and noon, those statistics jumped to 63 crashes, which included five injury-related incidents.
One of those incidents caused a major back-up on Calgary's ring road, police say.
It's not known if there are any injuries involved in that crash, but the city and pollice say the scene was cleared at just after 1 p.m.
By the next update from police, the total number of crashes had climbed to more than 100.
The City of Calgary was working to keep up with the white stuff coming down.
"Our crews have been out responding since it started last night. They've done a great job. With the breaks in the snow, it's been nice. We've been able to get into some of the secondary routes as well as taking care of the major routes," said Chris Hewitt, manager of mobility maintenance for the city.
In the meantime, conditions outside the city of Calgary weren't much better.
RCMP attended the scene of a serious crash on the QEII Highway near the Carstairs exit.
Multiple vehicles - up to 30 - were involved in that incident, which brought the highway to a halt for hours. One person was injured.
City streets and highways surrounding Calgary continued to be treacherous in many spots Friday night.
The QEII north of Calgary closed again.
Airdrie RCMP and other emergency crews responded to the QEII at Township Road 285 near Crossfield just before 7 p.m.
The northbound lanes were blocked off because of a multi-vehicle collision.
RCMP said a semi truck jackknifed and five other vehicles were involved, but no serious injuries were reported.
511 Alberta said that stretch of highway remained covered with snow in some sections, with blowing snow, ice and slush.
Visibility was described as "fair."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Conservatives launch marathon voting session over Liberal refusal to scrap carbon tax
Pierre Poilievre's Conservatives have launched an overnight marathon voting session in the House of Commons, after signalling they'd be making good on their threat to delay the government's agenda over their opposition to the carbon tax.
Two charged with murder of Quebecer Daniel Langlois and partner in Dominica
The director of public prosecutions in the Caribbean nation of Dominica has confirmed that two men have been charged in the death of Quebecer Daniel Langlois and his partner.
Death toll rises to five in cantaloupe salmonella outbreak, as cases almost double
The Public Health Agency of Canada says the death toll has risen to five in a salmonella outbreak linked to Malichita and Rudy brand cantaloupes.
Two months into war, a Palestinian doctor and an Israeli activist's son unite in calls for peace
After two months of war, a Palestinian doctor and the son of an Israeli activist, are united in a common call for peace.
Ottawa announces $5.5M for health worker well-being and foreign medical grads
Ottawa has announced nearly $5.5 million in new funding to address health worker well-being and speed up the application process for international medical graduates who want to work in Canada.
Hunter Biden indicted on nine tax charges, adding to gun charges in special counsel probe
Hunter Biden was indicted on nine tax charges in California on Thursday as a special counsel investigation into the business dealings of President Joe Biden's son intensifies against the backdrop of the looming 2024 election.
UNLV shooting suspect had list of targets at that campus and another university, police say
The suspect in the deadly shooting at the University of Las Vegas, Nevada, had a list of targets at the school and at East Carolina University in North Carolina, police said Thursday.
Canada doubling cost-of-living requirement for international students
Canada will more than double the cost-of-living financial requirement for incoming international students on Jan. 1, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Marc Miller announced today.
'The Brick' is at the centre of our galaxy. An unexpected new finding may help unlock its mysteries
A box-shaped cloud of opaque dust that lies at the centre of our galaxy has long perplexed scientists, and observations that reveal a new detail about its composition are deepening the mystery — possibly upending what’s known about how stars form.