Extreme wind gusts prompt closure of Highway-22 on Tuesday afternoon

CROWSNEST PASS –  Highway 22 was closed from highway 3 north to highway 533 late Tuesday morning due to extreme wind gusts. Highway maintenance crews were on scene monitoring conditions until the highway was reopened at 2:30.

Wind gusts were reported to be reaching 130-km/h in some areas which can result in large vehicles like semi tractor-trailers or holiday trailers being flipped or blown off the road. The wind has also resulted in blowing snow and icy conditions.

RCMP officers from Crownsnest Pass and Turner Valley detachments responded to several vehicles and four semis that rolled or entered the ditch due to wind gusts on Highway 22. 

Drivers of large vehicles hauling trailers were told consider delaying travel until wind speeds died down.