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Many parts of north and southeastern Alberta are expected to get a blast of wintry weather Monday.
Environment Canada says much of the Peace Region north of Edmonton, including Grande Prairie in the west and areas near Athabasca in the east, could see between 15 and 30 centimetres of snow.
The weather office says aside from possible breaks, snow is expected to fall until later Monday.
Driving conditions are expected to be challenging due to accumulating snow and reduced visibility.
Winter storm watch
Areas south of Edmonton, including Red Deer and Medicine Hat, are under a winter storm watch that could bring heavy rain, strong winds and flurries before Tuesday.
Forecasters say the front will bring hazardous conditions and are encouraging people to put off any travel.
A cold front will bring heavy rain showers or flurries late tonight, as well as strong northwest winds gusting to 90 km/h, Environment Canada said in an advisory Monday.
Temperatures are expected to drop quickly below zero in some areas, increasing the risk of freezing conditions. Brief periods of freezing rain or blowing snow are also possible in parts of central Alberta overnight, the agency cautioned.
Powerful winds in the Rockies
In the Rocky Mountains, the weather service is warning of strong wind gusts up to 100 kilometres per hour in areas as far north as Banff and stretching to the border with Montana.
According to Environment Canada, a cold front from the Pacific will move through the interior Monday bringing powerful southwesterly winds.
A special weather statement issued Monday morning includes areas stretching across the Rockies as well as parts of the B.C. interior. The Coquihalla Highway, Highway 3 – Hope to Princeton Highway and the Yellowhead Highway will also be affected, the weather agency said.
