Travel north on Highway 2 between Blackfalds and Lacombe is at a standstill Tuesday night because of a jackknifed semi trailer.
The vehicle is blocking all northbound lanes on the major highway between Edmonton and Calgary near the junction of Highway 12, according to Alberta 511, the province’s travel information service.
Highway 12 runs east-west through Lacombe.
Alberta 511 suggests drivers use nearby Highway 2A east of Highway 2 as an alternate route.
The snarled highway traffic comes as RCMP ask drivers to avoid highway travel in central and northern Alberta due to whiteout conditions from severe wind.
Police said in a media release Tuesday night road conditions in Leduc, Wetaskiwin, Camrose County, Maskwacis, Ponoka and areas around Edmonton “are extremely bad.”
They said several collisions and rollovers have been reported along Highway 2 between Red Deer and Leduc because of the weather.
CTV News Edmonton meteorologist Josh Classen said Tuesday much of north-central, central and southeastern Alberta will see wind gusts from 50-80 km/h and widespread drifting snow.
Environment and Climate Change Canada said in its late afternoon forecast the gusting winds in Edmonton will diminish to 30-50 km/h late in the evening.
