EDMONTON -- Wind and heavy snowfall warnings in effect across western Alberta and into British Columbia were prompting officials to ask motorists to be prepared or to delay travel.
Environment Canada issued heavy snowfall warnings for Banff and Jasper national parks where between 20 and 30 centimetres of snow was expected by Friday morning.
The Icefields Parkway was closed for avalanche control.
Parks Canada says the forecasted avalanche danger in Banff, Yoho and Kootenay national parks for Friday ranged from extreme to high.
A park's spokeswoman says travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.
Wind warnings were in place for southwestern Alberta where the Transportation Ministry noted that winds were gusting up to 160 kilometres an hour.
RCMP and provincial officials suggested postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve.
Police set up checkstops in southern Alberta to advise larger, light commercial and recreation vehicles not to travel on Highway 22 and Highway 3.
The Trans-Canada Highway between Revelstoke and Golden in British Columbia was also closed for avalanche control until at least 8 p.m. Thursday.
