Calgarians slog through streets after heavy, wet snowfall

People in Calgary and other parts of southern Alberta are slipping and sliding through one of the heaviest early snowstorms in almost 60 years.

Roads and highways in and around the city are covered in heavy, wet snow with more on the way.

Environment Canada is forecasting snowfall amounts of up to 30 centimetres in the Calgary area and up to 35 centimetres possible for the mountain parks.

Calgary police reported 168 collisions and dozens of flights were cancelled or delayed at Calgary International Airport.

To help Calgary dig out of the mess, the City of Edmonton is sending 30 snowplows to assist its neighbour.

Red Deer and Medicine Hat are also sending equipment to Calgary.

“We’re dealing with an unseasonably harsh dose of winter very early in our season,’’ Tom Sampson, chief of Calgary’s Emergency Operations Centre said Tuesday.

“We haven’t had this much snow since 1914 and 1957, almost 60 years ago.’’

The snow is expected to taper off Tuesday night and clear out of the region by Wednesday.

RCMP say the Trans-Canada Highway west of Calgary is in poor condition and drivers are being asked to avoid travel in the area if possible.

Vehicles are in the ditches and highway crews and tow trucks are trying to clear them out.

Some Calgary residents are taking the storm in stride.

A video posted on social media showed a cross-country skier gliding along a downtown sidewalk.