Residents and travellers along a key southern Alberta corridor are being advised to brace for severe weather. Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has issued a special weather statement, forecasting potentially damaging winds for the Highway 3 corridor on Wednesday, December 17, 2025.
Details of the Severe Weather Alert
The national weather agency warns that a strong weather system will move through the region, bringing a significant risk of high winds. The alert specifically targets the area following the Highway 3 corridor, a major transportation route through the Crowsnest Pass and surrounding regions. While the exact timing and peak wind speeds may vary, the conditions are expected to be strong enough to cause damage.
ECCC meteorologists indicate that such winds can pose serious hazards. Loose objects like patio furniture, garbage bins, and trampolines may be tossed by the gusts, potentially causing property damage or injury. The winds also create dangerous conditions for high-profile vehicles such as transport trucks, RVs, and vehicles with trailers travelling along the highway.
Potential Impacts and Safety Precautions
The primary concerns associated with this wind event include localized power outages due to downed tree branches or power lines. There is also an elevated risk of roof shingle damage and other minor structural issues for buildings in the direct path of the strongest gusts. Drivers are strongly encouraged to exercise extreme caution, maintain a firm grip on the steering wheel, and be prepared for sudden, powerful crosswinds, especially in exposed areas.
Environment Canada advises the public to secure any items around their property that could be picked up by the wind. It is also recommended to stay informed by monitoring local forecasts and alerts for any updates or warnings that may be issued as the event approaches. If travel is not essential, consider postponing trips through the affected corridor until conditions improve.
Broader Weather Context Across Canada
This wind warning for southern Alberta comes amid a period of active and severe weather across the nation. The ECCC alert was issued on the same day as other significant weather events, including a winter storm raging in Edmonton and a storm that knocked out power to over 100,000 customers on British Columbia's South Coast. The agency has also updated winter storm warnings for southern Saskatchewan, where school divisions like Prairie Spirit are closing all schools ahead of an expected blizzard.
These concurrent events highlight the varied and potent weather systems affecting Canadians from coast to coast. The warning for Highway 3 serves as a reminder for Albertans to stay vigilant and prepared for rapidly changing conditions, particularly when severe weather forecasts are issued by official sources.
