A blast of spring snow created a chaotic morning commute in Calgary on Thursday, with police reporting over 160 collisions as drivers navigated the treacherous conditions. The storm, which began overnight, resulted in 22 injury-causing crashes and 10 hit-and-runs between midnight and noon.
Environment and Climate Change Canada had issued a snowfall warning for the city, forecasting between 10 and 20 centimetres. The heavy, wet snow made for extremely slippery roads, keeping emergency services busy throughout the morning and afternoon. Calgary police confirmed they responded to a total of 163 vehicle collisions, underscoring the hazardous nature of the unseasonable weather.
The storm's impact was also felt at the Calgary International Airport, where officials warned of delays as crews worked to keep runways clear. Passengers were advised to check the status of their flights directly with their airlines before heading to the airport.
City crews focus on major routes
In response to the snowfall, the City of Calgary deployed its road crews to salt and plow major routes according to its priority snow plan. This plan focuses on clearing high-volume roads like Crowchild Trail and Glenmore Trail first to ensure the greatest number of drivers can travel safely. Chris McGeachy, a spokesperson for the city's mobility department, urged Calgarians to adjust their driving habits to the conditions.
"We just want to remind people: leave plenty of time to get to where you need to go, plenty of space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front," McGeachy said. He added a sentiment many Calgarians were feeling: "Calendar might say April; unfortunately, winter's still here for a couple more days." This is not the first time a surprise snowstorm has hit the city this season, reminding residents of the region's unpredictable climate.
Police resources stretched thin
Events like Thursday’s snowstorm place significant strain on the Calgary Police Service, who must manage a surge in traffic incidents on top of their regular duties. The high volume of weather-related calls highlights the diverse and demanding nature of policing in a major urban centre. While officers were responding to collisions across the city, their colleagues in other units continue to tackle complex, long-term public safety issues, such as the major car theft blitz in Ballarat.
For instance, an extensive operation in the spring of 2025 demonstrated the ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking in the city’s downtown core. In a two-week period between late April and early May of last year, a joint operation between police, bylaw officers, and Calgary Transit peace officers resulted in 160 charges against 29 individuals. The investigation focused on CTrain stations and other public spaces that had seen a rise in overdoses and drug-related activity.
During that operation, officers seized multiple weapons, including seven knives and an imitation revolver. The statistics revealed a pattern of repeat offences, a challenge that complicates law enforcement efforts. Of the 29 people arrested, police noted that 97 per cent had a history of trafficking-related charges and were on a form of release at the time of their arrest.
Of the 29 people that we arrested, 28 of them had a previous history of trafficking a controlled substance – which is quite substantial if you think about it – so it just speaks to the need, from our service’s standpoint anyway, [for] bail reform and some judicial sort of improvements to be able to keep those recidivists or those repeat offenders in jail.
A broader push for road safety
The two dozen injuries from Thursday's storm arrive against a grim backdrop of worsening road safety statistics in the city. The crashes serve as a stark reminder of the dangers on Calgary's roads, an issue the city and police have been trying to address proactively. In 2024, Calgary recorded 29 traffic-related fatalities, a 10-year high. That trend continued into the next year, with 27 deaths on city roads by September 2025.
In response to these alarming numbers, the City of Calgary and the Calgary Police Service launched the Safer Mobility Plan, also known as Vision Zero. The long-term strategy aims to eliminate all traffic fatalities and major injuries. The "Join the Drive to Zero" campaign urges all road users, including drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians, to remain vigilant and look out for one another, especially as the city manages a budget strained by rising costs and a recent significant property tax hike.
Navigating Calgary's complex challenges
The flurry of crashes during the latest spring snowstorm is a powerful illustration of the intersecting challenges facing Calgary. Unpredictable weather, the constant demand on police services for both acute emergencies and chronic issues like drug crime, and the long-term strategy for improving road safety all require a coordinated and persistent response from city officials. As an ever-growing city, Calgary continues to adapt its strategies to meet the needs of its residents, whether that means clearing snow or making streets safer for everyone. For now, Calgarians are left to navigate the lingering winter conditions.
