Diane Richardson 403.397.3706
Foothills County Road Conditions 2026
Current road bans, weather alerts, Hwy 2A & Hwy 22 conditions, and live highway cameras for Foothills No. 31 — sourced from 511 Alberta and Environment Canada.
Official Notice
View Current Order at foothillscountyab.ca →
Download 2024 Weight Order PDF →
Foothills County Road Bans & Vehicle Weight Orders
Foothills County enforces spring road bans to protect municipal roads during the freeze-thaw cycle. Heavy vehicles exceeding posted limits may cause road damage and face fines.
📌 Annual Spring Order
Current Vehicle Weight Order — Foothills County
Foothills County issues an annual spring road ban restricting vehicle weights on designated municipal roads during spring thaw, under the Municipal Government Act of Alberta. The most recent order is No. 244.
| Typical Season: | Late March to mid-May (varies by thaw conditions) |
| Area: | Foothills No. 31 — designated municipal roads (Schedule A) |
| Weight Limit: | 50–100% of legal vehicle weight depending on road surface |
| Applies to: | County roads only — Hwy 2A & Hwy 22 are Alberta Transportation |
Reference — 2024
Vehicle Weight Order No. 240/2024
The 2024 Summer Road Ban (Schedule A) listed 189+ roads across Foothills County, with restrictions from 50% to 100% of legal weight depending on surface type.
| Effective: | May 16, 2024 at 10:00 AM |
| Roads: | 189+ roads — including 618 Ave W. from Hwy 22 |
| Surfaces: | Pavement (90–100%), chip seal (50%), MRO/dust control (50–100%) |
Why are road bans issued? During spring thaw, ground beneath road surfaces becomes saturated and soft. Heavy vehicles — loaded grain trucks, oilfield equipment, and construction machinery — can cause significant structural damage. Road bans protect the County’s road investment and reduce repair costs funded by local taxpayers.
Environment Canada
Weather Alerts: High River, Aldersyde & Foothills No. 31
Environment Canada issues weather alerts for two distinct Foothills zones — near High River and Aldersyde and near Okotoks and De Winton. Conditions can vary significantly across the county.
⚠ Weather Alerts
Live Alerts — High River & Aldersyde
Environment Canada issues weather alerts specifically for Foothills Co. near High River and Aldersyde and Foothills Co. near Okotoks and De Winton as separate zones. Alert types include snowfall warnings, frost advisories, and special weather statements.
Click below to see the current active alert level directly from Environment Canada — always up to date, no refresh needed on this page.
⛈ View Live Alerts — High River & Aldersyde →Report severe weather: email ABstorm@ec.gc.ca • call 1-800-239-0484 • post #ABStorm on X
ℹ Official Sources
Check Before You Travel
These live sources are updated automatically by Alberta Transportation and Environment Canada — always current, no page refresh required on your end:
Alberta Transportation
Hwy 2A & Hwy 22 Conditions in Foothills No. 31
Two major provincial highways serve Foothills County. Both are maintained by Alberta Transportation — check 511 Alberta for live updates.
2A
Highway 2A — Foothills Corridor
Okotoks • High River • Nanton • Claresholm
✓ Provincial Highway — Check 511 Alberta for live status
Hwy 2A runs through the heart of Foothills County. During spring thaw, connecting range roads may have weight restrictions — plan accordingly for acreage access off Hwy 2A.
- Frost heaves develop quickly on rural intersections in spring
- Watch for farm equipment during seeding season (April–June)
- Construction zones may appear with short notice — watch for flaggers
- Speed reduction zones active through Okotoks and High River
22
Highway 22 — The Cowboy Trail
Turner Valley • Black Diamond • Longview • Chain Lakes
✓ Provincial Highway — Check 511 Alberta for live status
Hwy 22 passes through western Foothills County along the eastern slopes of the Rockies. Elevation changes make this route more susceptible to rapid weather changes.
- Blowing snow and ice are common near Chain Lakes in late winter and spring
- Watch for deer and elk crossings, especially at dawn and dusk
- Fog can develop quickly in valley sections near Longview
- AMA camera: Hwy 22 north of Chain Lakes (3 angles)
511 Alberta Real-Time Conditions: Alberta Transportation’s 511 service provides live road conditions for all provincial highways in Foothills No. 31. Access via web, phone (dial 511), or the free mobile app (iOS & Android).
Open 511 Alberta Map About 511 Alberta
Open 511 Alberta Map About 511 Alberta
Live Cameras
Okotoks Highway Cameras & Foothills Live Views
All cameras are operated by 511 Alberta or the AMA. Click any card to view the live feed.
Seasonal Guidance
Seasonal Driving Tips for Foothills County
Rural driving in Foothills No. 31 requires awareness of seasonal hazards unique to southern Alberta’s chinook climate, mixed terrain, and range road network.
🌿 Spring Thaw & Road Ban Season
- Check foothillscountyab.ca before heavy vehicle travel — road bans can activate with little notice
- Avoid range roads and low-lying areas where meltwater collects — soft shoulders can trap vehicles
- Expect frost heaves on paved roads, especially in shaded sections near tree lines
- Carry a shovel and traction material — mud and soft shoulders are common March–May
- Watch for Hwy 2A and Hwy 22 intersections with weight-restricted county roads
❄ Winter Driving in Foothills No. 31
- Winter tires are strongly recommended from October through April
- Chinook conditions can rapidly change packed snow to ice — reduce speed and increase following distance
- Carry a winter emergency kit: blanket, candles, food, water, and a fully charged phone
- Keep your fuel tank above half — rural roads near Longview and Cayley can be isolated in storms
- Give snowplows a minimum 30-metre following distance on county roads and provincial highways
🏠 Acreage & Range Road Access
- Range roads off Hwy 2A and Hwy 22 may not be maintained to highway standards — check with the County
- If viewing acreage properties, notify your REALTOR® about road conditions — access may require AWD or 4WD
- Spring is an ideal time to inspect drainage and driveway conditions on acreage properties
- Gravel range roads can become severely rutted during road ban season — stay on designated truck routes
- Contact Foothills County Public Works at (403) 652-2341 for specific road status inquiries
🌫 Chinook Arch Driving Hazards
- Foothills County experiences dramatic temperature swings — from −20°C to +10°C within hours
- Chinook winds can create black ice on Hwy 22 as warm air hits cold road surfaces
- High cross-winds near Chain Lakes and the foothills require reduced speed and firm steering
- Rapid snowmelt can cause temporary flooding on low-lying range roads near the Highwood River
- After a chinook, check road surfaces carefully — bare pavement may have hidden ice patches in shadows
✓ Before You Drive in Foothills County
✓Check 511 Alberta for live highway conditions
✓Check Environment Canada alerts before travel
✓Verify county road ban status at foothillscountyab.ca
✓Keep fuel tank above half on rural routes
✓Carry a winter emergency kit Oct–April
✓Tell someone your route and expected arrival
FAQ
Road Safety FAQs — Foothills County
Common questions about road bans, highway cameras, weather alerts, and driving safely in Foothills No. 31.
Foothills County issued Vehicle Weight Order No. 244 for 2026, restricting vehicle weights on municipal roads during spring thaw. Loads are limited to a percentage of legal weight on designated roads listed in Schedule A. Check the official Foothills County website at foothillscountyab.ca for the full road list and effective dates. The 2024 order (No. 240) applied to 189+ roads with restrictions of 50–100% of legal weight.
Live highway cameras near Okotoks are available on two platforms:
- 511 Alberta — the official Government of Alberta traffic camera network with full map interface and mobile app
- AMA Road Reports — Hwy 2 North of Hwy 7 near Okotoks (3 viewing angles)
Additional camera: Hwy 2 north of Aldersyde with north and south views.
Environment Canada issues weather alerts specifically for “Foothills Co. near High River and Aldersyde” as a distinct weather zone. Common alert types include snowfall warnings, special weather statements, and frost advisories.
For the current live alert status, visit weather.gc.ca — Foothills Co. near High River and Aldersyde →
Highway 2A runs through Okotoks, High River, Nanton, and Claresholm. Connecting range roads may have spring weight restrictions. Check 511 Alberta for live conditions, construction notices, and closures.
Highway 22 (Cowboy Trail) passes through Turner Valley, Black Diamond, Longview, and near Chain Lakes. This route sees more extreme weather due to elevation. Live highway cameras at Hwy 22 north of Chain Lakes (3 angles) are available at AMA Road Reports.
Spring road bans in Foothills County typically run from late March through mid-May, depending on freeze-thaw conditions each year. Chinook conditions can accelerate or delay the thaw timeline in southern Alberta. Monitor foothillscountyab.ca for official order dates each year.
- Municipal roads (potholes, downed signs): Foothills County Public Works — (403) 652-2341
- Provincial highways (Hwy 2A, Hwy 22): Report through 511 Alberta or Alberta Transportation
- Severe weather: Email ABstorm@ec.gc.ca or call 1-800-239-0484
- Life-threatening emergencies: Dial 911
- Winter tires (strongly recommended October through April)
- Jumper cables or a portable jump starter
- Blanket and warm clothing
- Snow brush and ice scraper
- Small collapsible shovel
- Sand or kitty litter for traction
- Flashlight with fresh batteries
- Windshield washer fluid rated to −40°C
- Fully charged phone with 511 Alberta app installed
- Food and water for several hours in case of delay
During spring road ban season, visiting rural acreages requires extra planning. Passenger vehicles are generally not affected by weight orders, but range roads and municipal gravel roads can be challenging or restricted during thaw.
When viewing acreage listings in spring, confirm with your REALTOR® that the access road is passable. AWD or 4WD vehicles are recommended on Foothills range roads in March–May. Spring is also an ideal time to inspect drainage, driveway conditions, and seasonal flooding potential on acreage properties.
Official Resources & Quick Links
Foothills County Real Estate
Buying or Selling in Foothills County?
Diane Richardson is a trusted REALTOR® specializing in Foothills County acreages, rural properties, and country homes near Okotoks, High River, and southern Alberta. Get expert guidance on road-accessible properties and acreage buying in any season.
Road conditions information is provided for general reference only. Always verify current conditions with official Alberta and Foothills County sources before travel. Information sourced from Foothills County, 511 Alberta, and Environment Canada. In emergencies, call 911.
CIR REALTY
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703 64 Ave SE #130
Calgary, AB, T2H 2C3