Winter storm batters Alberta roads on Feb. 17

PONOKA -- Alberta RCMP say they responded to a number of vehicle collisions during Monday's winter storm.

The storm saw blizzard-like conditions wallop much of Central Alberta with heavy snowfall and strong winds throughout the day on Feb. 17, 2026. It was reported by Environment Canada that winds between 60-70 km/h created large volumes of blowing snow, which reduced visibility to near none in various parts of the region.

"We responded specifically in Ponoka and the Central Alberta area to quite a few motor vehicle collisions," said RCMP Corporal Troy Savinkoff in conversation with 89.7 The One. "Fortunately, these were all minor in nature, with no serious injuries that I'm aware of."

Cpl. Savinkoff says that the QE II from Red Deer to Edmonton was a particularly treacherous stretch of road, as police were forced to declare a tow ban during the afternoon. He noted that reduced visibility and dangerous driving conditions caused by blowing and drifting snow resulted in tow operations being deemed too dangerous.

One death was reported in the Athabasca area. Police say their initial investigation determined a sole occupant of a transport truck had pulled over to the shoulder of the highway to check on another motorist in the ditch. Afterwards, while he was clearing accumulated snow from the rear of his trailer, a pickup truck also travelling southbound on Highway 813, collided with the rear of the semi-trailer, pinning the driver of the transport truck.

The QE II south of Highway 582 in Didsbury also saw a number of issues during the day, as police issued a statement in the afternoon that the southbound lanes became impassable due to a multi-vehicle pile-up. A similar case unfolded on Highway 45, between Myrnam and Highway 41, as high levels of snow mixed with ice and multiple stalled vehicles made the road impassable. 

Mounties remind motorists to always avoid unnecessary travel during poor conditions.