By Brian Konrad

Winter Weather Affecting Friday Morning Commute

Nov 16, 2018 | 6:10 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB. — Snow moving in from the northwest is hampering highway travel this morning.
 
There are reports of zero visibility in the Suffield area, and travel is not recommended from Alderson towards Calgary as visibility is an issue.  Roads are also snow covered and icy and motorists are facing snow and blowing snow.
 
Highway 41 north is also reporting snow, with visibility becoming an issue near the junction with Highway 570
 
There’s already been a single vehicle crash in the city at Box Springs Road and the Trans Canada highway, but no one was hurt.
 

For current conditions, go to 511 Alberta. https://511.alberta.ca/

Update at 7:15 am

Travel conditions on highways outside Medicine Hat continue to deteriorate.
 
511 Alberta now says travel west on Highway 3 from Medicine Hat to Lethbridge is being affected with a snow covered road, blowing snow and reduced visibility.
 
Highway 41 both north and south is shown as partly covered in snow as is Highway 1 east to the Saskatchewan border.
 
Travellers on highway 1 west are experiencing near zero visibility in the Suffield area, and travel is not recommended from Alderson west to the Calgary area.
 
In the city,  police were called to a motor vehicle crash at Box Springs Road N.W. and the Trans Canada highway about an hour ago, but no injuries reported.
 
Update 730 am

Jacknifed semi backing up traffic at 7th street s.w. and Trans Canada Highway.  Also motorists advised to find alternate route as there are back ups due to slippery conditions in the Kin Coulee dip.  Dunmore road also slippery and motorists heading up Redcliff Hill are having issues.

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Update 7:45 am

Environment Canada radar shows the heavier snow has moved through the area from the north, and traffic cameras to the west indicate visibility has improved, as a weather system made driving a hazard this morning.
 
Wet roads froze quickly and with snow falling on top of that, it was very slick.
 
Traffic was backed up on the Trans Canada highway in the city because motorists couldn’t get traction in the Kin Coulee dip and police advised people to use an alternate route.
 
A jackknifed semi at the Trans Canada highway and 7th street s.w. also backed up traffic, and drivers were having issues getting up the Redcliff hill.
 
Highway travel was also affected, mostly with blowing snow and reduced visibility on all roads leading out of Medicine Hat.

8:30 am update

Sanding trucks were in high demand in Medicine Hat this morning.
 
The city’s geography, which features three valleys and lots of hills, means motorists were having a tough time with slick road surfaces this morning.
 
Kin Coulee became a parking lot for a while as motorists couldn’t get traction and traffic backed up.
 
The same was true getting out of the South Saskatchewan river valley with semi trailers having the most issues with the Redcliff Hill and the climb from First Street S.W. to 7th street s.w.
 
Adding insult to injury, one semi jackknifed at the 7th street s.w. intersection adding to the traffic misery.  That’s since been cleared away.
 
Outside the city, blowing snow combined with snow covered roads to reduce visibility and hamper travel. 
 
But Environment Canada radar shows the heavier snow has moved out towards the Cypress Hills and 511 Alberta travel cameras indicate improved visibility.