Surprise snowfall blankets Calgary's north while south stays relatively dry

An unexpectedly heavy snowstorm wreaked havoc on some Calgary roads Wednesday morning.

As of around 12:30 p.m., Calgary police said there had been a total of 159 crashes. Twenty-seven of those crashes resulted in injuries, while police said 13 of them were hit-and-runs with no injuries.

During the morning commute, police advised drivers against travelling due to the wintry conditions and warned of multiple collisions in the north section of Stoney Trail.

The storm was also notable for where it did and didn't hit the city. The heaviest snowfall was in the city's north, while parts of southern Calgary appeared relatively dry, Environment Canada meteorologist Terri Lang said.

She said the south is likely to see some snow, but nowhere near the accumulation in the north.

Environment Canada's forecast had called for flurries, but the snowstorm ended up being more significant than anticipated, Lang said.

She said this type of storm can be difficult to track, comparing it to a summer thunderstorm: a relatively small system with an oversized impact when it hits an urban centre.

And despite the fact spring is now here, Lang said Calgarians should be prepared for some last blasts of winter.

"Folks shouldn't be surprised to see snow in March, because it is the snowiest month, and we're not out of the woods yet in terms of the possibility of snow coming," said Lang.