Strong Severe Thunderstorm Risk for Central & Southern Alberta on Thursday

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As we continue to experience temperatures in the 30s across Alberta, relief is on the way with cooler temperatures moving into the Northwestern regions of the province Thursday and spreading southward throughout the day. This cooler air, however, will trigger the development of some strong severe storms in parts of Central and Southern Alberta beginning in the evening and continuing into the overnight hours.

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The initial storm activity is anticipated to start in Central Alberta, in the Southern Foothills and into the Red Deer area around 5-7pm. These storms are expected to travel southeastward into the Drumheller region and Southern Alberta through the evening and overnight before crossing into Saskatchewan. Additional storm development could occur as the cooler air continues to push south into the Calgary area, resulting in strong storms eventually reaching Medicine Hat after midnight.

Models are suggesting that the environment will be favourable for the development of supercells that could produce up to golf ball sized hail or potentially even larger. Destructive wind gusts in excess of 120km/h are also a distinct possibility with these storms. At this time, the risk of a tornado seems isolated, but it can not be completely ruled out.

Another Wet Start to the Week As a Storm Brings Up to 75mm of Rain to Southern Alberta

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Great news! More moisture is on the way for Southern and Central Alberta and this time it will impact the southeast the most. After last week’s snow failed to spread too far east of Calgary, those that missed out on the precipitation will have their turn with heavy rain expected to begin in the late afternoon Monday and continue into Wednesday.

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A strong low pressure system is making its way into the province from the south and we will start to see some light rain pushing northward late Monday afternoon, reaching the Edmonton area by the mid-evening hours. The rain is then expected to intensify overnight and moderate rain will continue throughout the day Tuesday. Rainfall rates exceeding 2mm/hr will last for several hours, which will drive up totals in the hardest hit areas, particularly around Brooks, Taber, and Medicine Hat where up to 75mm is expected to fall from this system. The rain will then start to taper off Wednesday morning, but light rain is expected to continue until the evening. This amount of rain in a short period of time will likely lead to localized flooding so be prepared, especially when travelling in this region.

 Meanwhile, Calgary and southward along the Highway 2 corridor, along with to the northwest, including Rocky Mountain House and Drayton Valley, can expect to see rainfall amounts of 10-20mm and even less than that moving westward. Those in the Rockies may see a bit of drizzle, but precipitation from this system will fall mostly as snow, with 10-20cm expected through the region.

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Conditions will also be a bit windy across Southern and Central Alberta throughout the duration of this event. Widespread gusts of 50-70km/h with pockets up to 90km/h are expected to peak late Tuesday morning and into the evening and the winds completely die off by late Wednesday with the end of the storm.

 Thankfully the heaviest rain is coming to the driest part of Southern Alberta, and it should really help decrease the wildfire risk in the area.

A Late April Storm Will Bring Much Needed Moisture to Parts of Southern Alberta in the Form of Heavy Wet Snow

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As the month of April comes to an end along with the start of the wildfire season, we’re happy to share that there is some moisture on the way for parts of Southern Alberta to start this week. Unfortunately for those who are looking forward to the summer months, this moisture is predominately coming in the form of wet snow.

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The first round of snow moves into the province Monday evening and continues into Tuesday morning. The Southern Rockies will see the bulk of this snowfall and can expect 10-20cm by mid-day Tuesday. To the east, including Red Deer and Calgary, a rain and snow mix will limit accumulation to less than 5cm in this first round of precipitation.

At the same time, communities to the northeast, from Edmonton and through Fort Mac, can expect to see some light to moderate rain. By mid-morning Tuesday, colder air moves in from the north which results in a transition from rain to snow in this area and resulting in a dusting of snow.

This northern band of precipitation will push its way southward into the foothills and Rockies Tuesday afternoon, marking the second round of snow for the region. This additional heavy, wet snow is expected to continue through to the end of the day Wednesday, bringing snowfall totals up to 40cm in some locations. Once again, accumulations are expected to be lower to the east, but areas including Calgary could still see brief periods of this heavy snow.

Mid April Snowfall Will Bring 10+cm of Accumulation for Parts of Southern Alberta

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In typical Alberta fashion for spring, the mild weather that we’ve had lately is going to be replaced with cooler temperatures, strong winds, and snow that could be heavy at times, with over 10cm of snow expected for some by mid-week.

Late Monday, precipitation will start as rain across parts of Southern Alberta. The rain will transition over to wet snow as cooler air moves in Tuesday morning and temperatures fall to a few degrees below zero. The snow will persist into early morning Wednesday at which point the system will have moved on to impact Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

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The greatest snowfall totals are anticipated through the Rockies from Jasper to the American border and extending eastward to also include Olds, Strathmore, but not quite into Brooks. This large area can expect 5-10cm, but a smaller region that includes High River and along the Trans Canada west of Calgary into Canmore will see up to 15cm, with the possibility of higher amounts locally. Travel may be difficult throughout the day on Tuesday with the snow being accompanied by wind gusts up to 60km/h.

Snowfall totals are dependent on the arrival of cooler air that will result in a transition from rain to snow. If this cooler air arrives later, snowfall totals will be less.

Clear Skies in the Forecast for Monday for Most Eclipse Viewers in Alberta

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We’re now in the last few days before the partial solar eclipse that will cross the skies above Alberta on Monday and we’re now getting a clearer idea of the weather conditions that we can expect for that time period.

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Safety Measures

In order to safely enjoy the eclipse, it's crucial to use ISO 12312-2 certified solar glasses. Directly looking the sun, even during an eclipse, can cause serious, and possibly permanent, damage to your eyes. You can only view the eclipse without the glasses during the few minutes of totality. Solar glasses are designed to block harmful solar radiation and protect your eyes while allowing you to safely witness the event.

Never use makeshift viewing solutions like sunglasses or homemade filters, as they do not offer adequate protection against the sun's rays. Also, remember that the same rules apply to taking pictures with your phone. The sun can damage your camera’s sensors if you don’t have the proper solar filter (such as the same solar glasses for your eyes).

Your Guide to the Eclipse:

The forecast for Monday looks ideal for those in Alberta who might want to view the partial solar eclipse, with clear or mostly clear skies expected for most of Southern Alberta for the afternoon. There will be some scattered clouds throughout the morning, but they will clear just in time for the beginning of the event. The only concern for partly cloudy or overcast skies exists in the Rockies so the eclipse will likely not be visible in this region.

Southern Alberta Welcomes Spring With a Snowstorm Bringing Over 20cm of Snow

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As we bid farewell to a weekend and Monday bathed in sunshine and mild temperatures across Southern Alberta, a dramatic shift awaits us. This change will manifest as a sharp plunge in temperatures—well into the double digits—and a blanket of much-needed snow, marking a return to winter-like conditions right as we step into spring on Tuesday.

The transition begins Tuesday evening as snow starts to develop along the Rockies with the arrival of colder air from the north. This snowfall is expected to spread southeastward through the evening and overnight, enveloping most of Southern Alberta in a wintry embrace. From Calgary, sweeping southeast through Brooks and Medicine Hat, right up to the Saskatchewan border, periods of heavier snow throughout Wednesday and into the overnight hours will make for a midweek dominated by what could be winter's last hurrah. Accompanying this snowfall, wind gusts nearing 50km/h could significantly reduce visibility, complicating travel with blowing snow.

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The snowfall is set to persist into Thursday, by which time regions extending from Grande Cache to the outskirts of Edmonton will begin to see some accumulation. The western areas are poised to receive a notable 10-15cm of snow. As we move into Thursday evening, the snow will start to dissipate, though scattered light flurries could linger overnight and into the early hours of Friday, adding a final touch to the snowy landscape.

A widespread snowfall exceeding 15cm is anticipated to stretch from Jasper to Medicine Hat, encapsulating a vast swath of the province in a snowy blanket. A significant area, including Calgary, Strathmore, Brooks, Taber, and Medicine Hat, is bracing for an even more snowfall, with accumulations surpassing 20cm.

This impending winter revival serves as a stark reminder of the season's unpredictability, especially as we transition into spring. Residents across Southern Alberta should prepare for a sudden return to wintry conditions, with significant snowfall on the horizon, marking a sharp contrast to the mild weather enjoyed over the recent weekend and Monday.

Significant Winter Storm Takes Aim at Alberta Starting Saturday With Up 30cm of Snow Possible

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As Meteorological Spring begins, Alberta is on the brink of experiencing a substantial winter storm that promises to bring a heavy blast of snow. Starting Saturday morning, light snowfall has started to sweep through Southern Alberta, making its way to the Edmonton area by early afternoon.

As the day progresses, the intensity of the snow is expected to intensify, particularly east of a line stretching from Camrose through Drumheller to Medicine Hat, extending all the way to the Saskatchewan border. This segment of Alberta is braced to receive between 15-25cm of snow, predominantly throughout Saturday afternoon and into the evening.

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The end of this snowfall is expected by Sunday afternoon, although some areas might still witness light flurries lingering for the subsequent 24 hours. Accompanying this snowfall, wind gusts could reach speeds of up to 50km/h on Saturday, potentially leading to reduced visibility and blowing snow.

As the system extends its influence to the west, reaching into Saskatchewan and Manitoba, its impact will only broaden, bringing widespread snowfall and potentially blizzard conditions to various regions. Alberta's brush with this storm marks the beginning of what promises to be an eventful weekend across the Prairies.

Break in Extreme Cold for Alberta; Calgary & Lethbridge Area Could See Up to 30cm of Snow This Week

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After enduring several days of extreme cold, Alberta is set to receive some respite starting Tuesday. This change will introduce milder air, which is expected to bring significant snow to parts of southern Alberta from Tuesday morning through Wednesday night and into Thursday morning.

Light snow is forecast to begin moving across the Rockies early Tuesday morning in the Foothills, gradually shifting southeastward throughout the day. Due to this track, Edmonton is likely to see little to no snowfall. However, the Calgary area will be affected as the snow advances into the region by Tuesday evening. The snowfall is expected to persist over Calgary for a full 24 hours, potentially accumulating up to 20cm by the end of the event.

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Further south of Calgary, encompassing areas like High River, Lethbridge, and Taber, the snow is anticipated to continue for an additional 6-12 hours. This extended period of snowfall could lead to higher total accumulations, potentially reaching up to 30cm. There's also a chance that localized areas in this region could experience up to 35cm of snow by Thursday morning when the snow is expected to finally taper off.

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Alberta Clipper to Bring Widespread 10-15cm to Alberta and Saskatchewan Beginning Tuesday

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Nothing says January in the Prairies quite like negative double-digit temperatures and an Alberta Clipper bringing a healthy dumping of snow which is exactly what many can expect to see over the next couple of days.

The snow will start to make its way into Alberta from the Rockies shortly after midnight Tuesday and spread across Central and Southern Alberta through the morning hours.

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The heaviest snowfall is expected to fall in Central Alberta, covering a swath from Grande Prairie and Grande Cache and through Edmonton to Wainright and Lloydminster.

This region, along with the Rockies, falls under the 10-15cm range for snowfall. Areas closer to the Rockies and in the Foothills can be expected to be closer to 15cm and potentially up to 20cm locally while Edmonton and eastward will be closer to 10cm. 

This will be a fairly short-lived event for Alberta with the hardest hit areas only receiving snow for a maximum of 12 hours and snowfall rates aren’t expected to be particularly high so overall accumulations will be limited. By early Wednesday morning, the snow will end for the province.

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In Saskatchewan, the snowfall will begin to cross the border in the late morning and once again, the Central region of the province will be the hardest hit area with 10-15cm expected to fall.

This encompasses an area from Lloydminster and Kindersley, across Saskatoon and eastward to Hudson Bay and Yorkton. Wednesday morning will see the system stall after it crosses the border with Manitoba and East Central Saskatchewan will likely be on the higher end of the 10-15cm range along with the possibility of higher snowfall totals locally by the time the snow ends overnight Wednesday into early Thursday.

After finally crossing the border into Manitoba, the system will once again stall over Southwestern Manitoba. At this point, there is some disagreement between weather models regarding exactly how much snow this region can expect and a slight change in speed or trajectory could make a big difference in accumulation totals. As a result, we will be holding off on publishing a forecast until Tuesday evening.

Return to Reality for Alberta With Quick Blast of Winter Weather Bringing Up to 5-10cm of Snow

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After some very unseasonable warmth recently, the reality of winter returns with a quick blast of snow across parts of Southern Alberta along with temperatures closer to what we expect for this time of year.

Beginning Thursday morning, a clipper will start to push its way eastward from the Rockies and into Southern Alberta by the afternoon. An area from Jasper and Banff, east to Edmonton and Red Deer can expect the greatest accumulation, with upwards of 10cm by the time the snow dissipates mid-morning Friday.

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There is still some disagreement between weather models, with some suggesting a more northern track that would bring some heavier snow to Edmonton, resulting in a messy evening commute for the city.

Outside of Edmonton, travel along the Yellowhead and QE2 between Red Deer and Edmonton will also be messy during the afternoon and evening.

With this quick blast of snow comes one of the final chances for a White Christmas with very little additional snow expected between now and the 25th.

Temperatures are not expected to rise far above freezing over the next week and a half so locations that receive accumulation from this clipper should expect the snow to stick around until Christmas Day.

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Say It Ain’t Snow! First Major Snowfall of the Season Takes Aim at the Prairies

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After a warm start to fall across much of the Prairies, conditions have begun to turn, with dropping temperatures dropping heralding the first significant snowfall of the season. 

The snow has already begun for Southern Alberta and into Southern Saskatchewan where it will continue overnight and throughout the day Tuesday. The heaviest snow, with totals of 10-20cm, is expected in the Rockies and eastward through Calgary and Lloydminster.

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A secondary pocket of heavy snowfall is also possible in Southwestern Saskatchewan. Surrounding areas and Southern Manitoba can expect 5-10cm of snow by the end of the day Wednesday.

Following the snow, Arctic air will begin to settle into the region with overnight low temperatures in the negative double digits across much of Southern Alberta and Saskatchewan Tuesday into Wednesday and again the following night.

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