A plow clears snow from Northridge Drive near Elizabeth Street on Friday afternoon. Roads throughout the foothills were treacherous Friday after a snowstorm blew in to the region.

One word could be said about road conditions in the foothills on Friday afternoon, “terrible.”

Okotoks resident Beth Cozens said that what was likely on motorist’s minds as a snowstorm descended on the foothills creating havoc on highways.

RCMP were busy all afternoon responding to a number of collisions and reports of vehicles going into the ditches. Police are recommending people not travel if they don’t have to.

It’s a warning Cozens plans to listen to.

She picked up a friend from the airport in Calgary this morning and just beat the storm into town. She has no intention of going anywhere now.

“The road’s are okay in Okotoks, but it’s pretty bad out of town,” said Cozen.

It was a similar story for Millarville-area resident Kinnie Willis who stopped to fill up his truck on his way home.

“It’s pretty greasy,” he said. “I was coming out past High River and I couldn’t see more then three feet in front of me.”

The roads were bad, but he said most drivers were being good and adjusting to the wintery conditions.

A winter storm warning is in effect for the foothills region with blowing snow and strong winds expected to continue into Saturday. Snowfall accumulations between 10 cm to 20 cm can be expected in many areas by Saturday morning.

Okotoks RCMP Staff Sgt. Wade Sparks said highways are not in good condition.

Highway 2 between Calgary and Highway 7 was closed for a few hours this afternoon after a multi-vehicle collision that occurred with the Calgary city limits and has since been reopened.

“The roads are in extreme winter driving conditions and if you don’t have to drive, wait until the weather clears,” said Sparks.

He said RCMP responded to a multi-vehicle collision on Highway 7 about one kilometer west of Okotoks.

“There are numerous vehicles in the ditches along Highway 2 both northbound and southbound,” he said.

He urged anyone who must travel to use extreme caution when driving.

For up to date road conditions visit www.ama.ab.ca

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