World · North America · 6 hrs ago
Strong winds disrupt power, travel and voting in Alberta
Strong winds disrupted central and northern Alberta on Wednesday, causing power outages and travel problems.
Environment and Climate Change Canada warned that gusts could reach 90 km/h in some areas as the winds moved southeast.
The outages affected thousands of people, though the available information does not give a more precise total.
In Athabasca and Clyde, power cuts temporarily closed two advance voting locations for next week’s provincial referendum.
Elections Alberta said the locations would stay open longer after power returned to make up for the lost voting time.
High winds also disrupted Edmonton’s Valley Line LRT and affected flight schedules at Edmonton International Airport.
Winds were expected to weaken in Alberta that evening, while gusty conditions moved into Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
Strong winds disrupted power, travel and advance voting in parts of central and northern Alberta on Wednesday.
Environment and Climate Change Canada warned that wind gusts could reach 90 km/h in some areas.
The winds developed from Slave Lake through Edmonton and were expected to move southeast toward Lloydminster.
An outage temporarily closed two advance voting locations in Athabasca and Clyde.
Flights were delayed or cancelled, and Edmonton’s Valley Line LRT service was briefly disrupted.
- Who
- Residents, travellers and advance voters in parts of central and northern Alberta were affected.
- What
- Strong winds caused power outages and disrupted flights, transit and advance voting.
- When
- Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
- Where
- Central and northern Alberta, including Edmonton, Athabasca and Clyde.
- Why
- Strong winds, with gusts of up to 90 km/h possible in some areas, caused the disruptions.
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Environment and Climate Change Canada issued wind warnings for multiple areas.
A power outage closed advance voting locations at the Athabasca Seniors Centre and the Clyde returning office.
Edmonton Transit Service reported that Valley Line LRT service was temporarily not running between 102nd Street and The Quarters.
The winds were expected to weaken.
- Maximum gusts forecast
- Up to 90 km/h in some areas
- Voting location
- Athabasca Seniors Centre
- Voting location
- Clyde returning office
- Edmonton transit disruption
- Valley Line LRT service between 102nd Street and The Quarters
- Wind forecast
- Gusts below 70 km/h in Edmonton after 9 p.m.
3 sources
What people are saying
Strong winds have developed from Slave Lake through Edmonton
When power is restored, both locations will reopen and stay open after 8 p.m. [for] the same amount of time they were closed in order to accommodate electors
Strong winds in the region today did affect flight schedules, and some airlines proactively delayed or cancelled flights ahead of the weather.
Posts on X
ATTN: Due to electrical issues resulting from high winds, there is no Valley Line service between 102 Street and Quarters. Regular service is running between Mill Woods and Muttart. A shuttle train is running between Muttart and Quarters.