If you were thinking there’s more snow this month as there was last year, you are right – two and a half times more.
According to Environment Canada from the beginning of November until Dec. 18 a total of 70 centimetres (cm) has accumulated in Airdrie and surrounding county communities.
That’s two-and-half times the normal accumulated amounts of 28 cm.
“There’s been lots of snow,” said Bill McMurty, meteorologist with Environment Canada.
“It’s a lot more than we normally see at this time of the year.”
The county was also hit with major snowstorms on Dec. 8 and 9 and 15, snowfall warnings were issued that called for 10 to 15 cm of snow on each day.
Arctic winds and more low-pressure systems are to blame for the winter wonderland, according to McMurty.
Our neighbours to the north have had it worse, according to Environment Canada. Red Deer has recorded more than 110 cm of snow as of Dec. 18. That’s three-and-a-half times the amount they normally see.
Temperatures have also dipped far below the normal with numerous day recording -30°C temperatures with wind chill far below the normal temperatures of -2°C.
The amount of snow has caused police to shut down major highways for periods of time throughout the month and have forced people to stay in their homes.
RCMP and emergency first responders were kept busy Dec. 2 and 3 with police reporting more than 79 calls on rural highways from vehicles that were in the ditch or stuck in snowbanks.
“It’s difficult for us because we only have so many four-wheel drive vehicles, and we’re out there on the roads too, the hardest part is just getting around and responding to all of these calls,” Staff Sgt. Gordon Sage from the Airdrie RCMP said on Dec. 3.
The county has 32 pieces of equipment available - graders and plows - and services just over 2,400 km of County roads, according Grant Kaiser, communications manager with Rocky View County said.
“Following December’s big snow events we have had more calls and emails of praise from residents for the County’s snow clearing efforts than at any point in our history,” Kaiser said.
“Our crews and contractors did an outstanding job in terrible conditions. We also want to extend our thanks to the many residents who used their equipment to help their neighbours, allowing the County to get to everyone else as fast as possible.”
Provincial highways are the responsibility of the Province, not the County: highways 1, 1A, 2, 2A, 8, 9, 22, 22X, 72, 563, 564, 566, 567, 772, 791, 806, and 797 are cleared by the Province.
The Village of Beiseker and the Town of Irricana were also hit hard by the Dec. 2 and 3 snowstorms.
Snow removal in both communities was slow, according to some residents, but officials stressed crews were working as fast as they could.
A colder than expected winter is expected for January and February with Environment Canada calling for colder than normal temperatures and more snow.
