Snowfall in southern Alberta leads to highway crashes, warning from RCMP

RCMP in southern Alberta are advising motorists to stay off the highways if they don't need to travel today.

Serious winter driving conditions are in effect and snowfall warnings have been issued across southern Alberta, including in and around Cardston, Crowsnest Pass, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, and Cypress Hills.

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Some areas received between 10 and15 centimetres of snow Monday morning, and Environment Canada said another 10 to 15 centimetres is likely before the evening.

Most major highways in southern Alberta were listed assnow-covered or partly covered as of 11:30 a.m., according to Alberta Transportation.

"They're plowing them and everything but it's still sloppy and slippery. We've got quite a few vehicles in the ditch right now," saidWillieLangille, who runs Willie's 24-Hour Towing out ofRedcliff,Alta.

"You've got to be very careful," he added. "The temperature's just at the right spot now where it's melting and then freezing."

Police adviseddrivers to give themselves lots of time to get where they're going, be aware of their surroundingsand to leave sufficient space in between vehicles.