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Southern Alberta Snowstorm: Calgary, Pincher Creek, Crowsnest Pass Prepare For Major Snowfall (PHOTOS, TWEETS)

Will It Ever Stop Snowing In Alberta?
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Get ready for a huge hammering of snow, Alberta.

According to Environment Canada, a storm system over the American Rockies will bring heavy snow all day Thursday, continuing Friday and ending Saturday morning. The snow will intensify as it passes over the Pincher Creek area Thursday afternoon and spread northeast. The heaviest snow is expected in parts of Crowsnest Pass and Cardston, with up to 35 centimetres falling by Saturday morning. The rest of southern Alberta can expect to see between 10 and 25 centimetres.

Story continues after the slideshow...

Snow Photos - Nov. 7, 8, 9 2012

The areas affected by snowfall warnings include:

- The City of Calgary,

- Okotoks, High River, Claresholm,

- Crowsnest Pass, Pincher Creek, Waterton,

- Cardston, Fort MacLeod, Magrath,

- Lethbridge, Taber, Milk River,

- Cyress Hills Provincial Park,

- Medicine Hat, Bow Island, Suffield and

- Brooks, Strathmore, Vulcan

The Calgary Herald reports that temperatures will also dip as the storm progresses; creating a windchill in the -23 C range.

Road conditions in Calgary Thursday morning were troublesome for commuters, with 34 collisions reported to police before 9 a.m., the Herald reports. Calgary Police Services said they responded to six collisions causing injury and 28 non-injury accidents.

Meanwhile, Edmonton continues to dig out after as much as 31 centimeters of snow fell Wednesday.

Police responded to more than 200 crashes Wednesday and an additional 23 Thursday morning, according to the Edmonton Journal. At least a dozen people were injured and one person died in the crashes.

Edmonton body shops were struggling to keep up as a steady stream of tow trucks brought in damaged cars and trucks.

"Our afternoon was very, very busy," Herbers Autobody Repair employee Rodd Hallett told the Journal. "The phones were going crazy. I'd phrase it as being chaotic all day."

Perhaps the only people thrilled with the big dump of snow are the province's skiers and snowboarders, who will hit the hills this weekend to what will likely be impressive openings at Sunshine Village, Lake Louise and Marmot Basin ski resorts.

UPDATE: The City of Edmonton has announced a parking ban will go into effect on designated routes Friday morning at 7 a.m.

UPDATE: 9:30 p.m. -- Canmore RCMP are advising that travel is not recommended on Highway 1, both east and west bound, from Highway 1X to the Banff Park gates. The highway is currently very icy with blowing snow and reduced visibility.

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