Blizzard warning issued for parts of the province

Get ready for a blast of winter weather, as a blizzard warning has been issued for parts of the province.

Environment Canada has issued the warning for the following areas:

• Banff National Park

• Canmore

• Cochrane

• Kananaskis

• Kananaskis Improvement District

• Spray Valley Provincial Park

The warning is in effect from 4 p.m. today until 4 p.m. tomorrow. During this time, snowfall amounts of 15 to 25 centimetres are expected, with local amounts of up to 30 centimetres possible. Winds gusting up to 70 kilometres per hour are also expected. This could create whiteout conditions and make travel dangerous.

If you must travel, be sure to check the latest road conditions before you go. And if you can, avoid driving altogether. Those who are caught in the storm are advised to stay in a warm, safe place and avoid any unnecessary travel.

The blizzard warning comes as a cold front moves through the province. This front is bringing with it a blast of cold air and snow. The cold weather is expected to stick around for a few days, before another warming trend moves in at the end of the week.

In the meantime, be sure to stay warm and safe during the storm.