Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for Red Deer, Alberta, as a winter storm is expected to bring up to 30 centimetres of snow and dangerous travel conditions starting Monday evening, February 16, 2026. This sudden return to winter weather is expected to last through Wednesday and will impact local commuters, commercial traffic, and school services.
The region will likely see between 10 and 20 centimetres of snow by Wednesday, though some local spots could see even more. According to Environment Canada, strong winds on Tuesday will create blowing snow that could make it very hard to see while driving on the Queen Elizabeth II Highway (Highway 2) and Highway 11.
Provincial highways around the city are looked after by Mainroad Alberta Contracting, which manages thousands of kilometres of roads in the area. The City of Red Deer will focus on clearing its busiest streets first, using 24-hour plowing to keep emergency routes and bus paths open for residents.
Local families should watch for possible bus cancellations from Red Deer Public Schools and Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools, as well as the Chinook’s Edge School Division in the surrounding county, which typically stop service if roads are too icy or if it gets too cold. Once the snow ends, temperatures are expected to drop quickly, reaching a low of minus 28 degrees Celsius by Wednesday night. Residents are encouraged to allow for extra travel time and to check for weather updates before heading out.
