RCMP are urging motorists to drive with caution this afternoon as strong winds create hazardous conditions.

Turner Valley RCMP have already responded to a semi truck rollover on Highway 22 near Chain Lakes.

Police say travelers on northbound or southbound Highway 22 should prepare for extremely high winds.

A wind warning has also been issued for Okotoks and area, with Environment Canada predicting winds of up to 130 km/h for the southern foothills throughout the afternoon.

As of approximately 3:00 p.m. the strongest gust recorded in our area was about 70 km/h in Black Diamond.

Dan Kulak, Meteorologist with Environment Canada says those winds are only going to get more powerful as the day goes on.

"It doesn't look like the worst of it yet has occurred for the Okotoks area, we think the winds are going to pick up a little bit more this afternoon. Indeed the strongest winds we've seen so far this afternoon are a little farther east towards the Saskatchewan border, where we have had some winds in the 80 to 90km/h range already."

The winds will soon shift to come out of the west, north west later today as the system which came in from B.C. moves across the province.

Kulak advises motorists take extra precautions on the road, especially on the highway.

"We have seen lots of times in the past when we get these strong winds coming across the mountains, on that highway 2 corridor south of Calgary, where semi-trailers and large vehicles do get blown onto their sides, or off the road. So we have to keep that in mind, and anybody who is maybe pulling a high profile vehicle for the first time be really really careful, and probably consider your options for maybe delaying your trip for another day."

The winds are expected to diminish later tonight.

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