City workers are still clearing the snow from the roads in Calgary after the snowfall warning has ended

After two days of being under a snowfall warning , the Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) stated that Calgary, Cochrane, and parts of central Alberta, including the QEII highway, had passed the worst of the spring snow event on Thursday afternoon.However, areas near Calgary, such as the M.D. of Bighorn, Foothills County, Rocky View County, as well as the rest of southern Alberta, including Lethbridge and Medicine Hat, remained under a snowfall warning on Thursday afternoon. As of 10 a.m. on Thursday, ECCC reported that Calgary International Airport had received 22 centimetres of snow, the most of the seven stations. ECCC predicted light snow on Friday and periods of snow on Saturday in Calgary.

According to Global Calgary chief meteorologist Tiffany Lizee, Calgary has seen 42 cm of snow this month, while the normal for March is 23 cm. Calgary police reported 104 collisions by 4 p.m. on Thursday, including 20 injury collisions, 6 non-injury hit and runs, and two hit and runs that resulted in injuries.City of Calgary snow crews continued to work overnight and throughout Thursday to clear the busiest roads.

Chris McGeachy from the city’s mobility department mentioned that they had made some passes along the Priority 2 routes for buses.

A multi-day snow event continues for southern #AB with many areas already receiving 10 – 20 cm. Some southern regions will see varying amounts of snowfall continue into the weekend. Here are some preliminary numbers. Send us your snowfall reports at #abstorm. pic.twitter.com/alolNj51Zj

— ECCC Weather Alberta (@ECCCWeatherAB) March 21, 2024

He stated that the 24-7 winter shift for snow crews would continue into the weekend.

McGeachy said their focus would be on keeping the most Calgarians moving safely, particularly on high-volume routes for the next while.

He added that Calgarians would likely see some snow cover on their side streets.

Despite the weather, Calgarians continued to go about their activities, including delivering the mail.

Mail carrier Robin Li mentioned that the snow could be 20 cm deep in some places, making it difficult to move around, especially if there was ice under the snow.

Some people were not discouraged by the spring snow on roads and trails.

Todd Teren expressed that although biking in the snow was a bit slippery, it didn't stop him, and he found the snow beautiful.

A polar bear at the Calgary Zoo is enjoying the fresh snow on March 21, 2024.

A polar bear at the Calgary Zoo is enjoying the fresh snow on March 21, 2024.

A grey wolf at the Calgary Zoo is shown on March 21, 2024.

Grey wolves are seen enjoying the fresh snow at the Calgary Zoo on March 21, 2024.

Escape from snowy Calgary

While the polar bears at the Calgary Zoo were out enjoying the copious amounts of freshly fallen snow, some Calgarians sought an escape from the snowy start to spring.

“I hate the weather. I thought we would have spring already. But it’s gone now so I am going to leave you guys the snow,” Ryan Manalo said while waiting at the Calgary International Airport for his flight to Cancun. “We are going to get sunshine.”

Sarah Dlin is also headed to the Mexican resort city with her family and plans for a simple trip.

“Do nothing, read a book, get some sun. Just laze out in the sun,” Dlin said. “It is icing on the cake, because usually we’re the ones sitting at home going, ‘Oh, we should have booked something.’

“Glad we did this time.”