Mother Nature isn't letting up.
Yesterday it was wind and snow wreaking havoc on city streets, causing at least 172 crashes -- and today the cold front moves in.
Temperatures are expected to plummet to -15C this afternoon, which will feel like -25C with the windchill, as the first deep freeze of winter descends on the city.
"It doesn't look very good," said Linda Schuler, meteorologist for Environment Canada on the long-range forecast.
"This (system) developed over the province, an upper disturbance moved across from B.C. and joined up with a cold front coming from the north."
Temperatures are expected to stay in the -20C range for at least the next week, said Schuler. Flurries are expected today and tomorrow before the air mass settles over top of the city.
"Usually when it gets really cold the winds let up but we're going to have winds into Sunday," she said.
Yesterday's storm dumped about 10 cm of snow on the city and high wind reduced visibility to almost zero.
Southbound Deerfoot Tr. was closed at 130 Ave. for a short time yesterday afternoon following a four-car pileup, one of 172 collisions Calgary police responded to between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Of those, 26 involved injuries.
Every piece of equipment available was kept working through the night in an effort to keep major roads clear for today, said city transportation spokesman Sean Somers.
"Our (tactic) is essentially what it's been and that's just to keep going," he said.
"Our focus is on the main commuter routes, Glenmore Tr., Crowchild Tr., Shaganappi and the significant thoroughfares."
Having the storm hit on a Friday was a small blessing, said Somers, as significantly fewer cars are on the roads on weekends.
"Our ability to respond really factors obviously with what the weather is doing and also with the commute," he said.
"With us not having the commute to battle, absolutely it's going to help us."
That was little consolation for the thousands of drivers forced to navigate the city's snowy streets.
"Absolutely not," said Dave Leahul when asked if the city is doing a good enough job clearing snow.
"I haven't seen a plow or sander since spring.
"You'd think they could check the weather forecast."
Drivers weren't the only ones left frustrated by the snowstorm.
More than 50 flights were cancelled at Calgary International Airport and dozens of others delayed.
"The weather has had a significant effect on our operations," said WestJet spokesman Robert Palmer, noting staff was kept busy serving drinks and snacks to their customers stuck waiting in long lines.
Getting to the airport is usually the hardest part of flying during bad weather, he said.
"If you haven't left enough time and the roads are bad, it's that much more stressful," said Palmer.
DAVE.DORMER@SUNMEDIA.CA
