Parts of Alberta have plenty of snow on the way over the coming days, and the forecast is looking downright chilly for some areas next week.
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), snowfall warnings are in effect for portions of northern Alberta, with heavy snow expected to fall right into the evening of Monday, Dec. 8, in some areas.
Forecasters note that a long period of snowfall with total amounts of 20 to 30 cm is expected, with snow beginning this morning over the Alberta/B.C. border and spreading eastward this afternoon.
Snow will continue, with some possible breaks, until Tuesday. Snowfall rates of two to four centimetres per hour are possible in some areas, and travel will likely be challenging.
“Visibility will likely be reduced at times. Allow extra time for travel. Take frequent breaks and avoid strain when clearing snow,” the warning added.
A winter storm watch was also issued for large chunks of the province on Sunday afternoon, with meteorologists saying a front will bring weather that will be hazardous to travel overnight Monday to Tuesday morning.
When the front passes, heavy rain showers or flurries, as well as strong winds, gusting in some areas to 90 km/h, may suddenly occur. This will be followed by a rapid drop in temperature to below zero in some areas.
Icy surfaces may form quickly and be difficult to detect. High-sided vehicles may be blown around by the wind. In flurries, visibility may be quickly and suddenly reduced to near zero.
Luckily, the heavy snow is set to stay away from major cities like Edmonton and Calgary; however, some snow is certainly still on the horizon for YEG.
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Edmonton is looking at a chance of flurries today and tonight before periods of snow tomorrow night, with another chance of flurries on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Keep those snow shovels handy, and with a significant dip in temperatures on its way next week, be sure to bundle up.
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Calgary is escaping most of the snow chances apart from Thursday evening into Friday, with above-normal temperatures for this time of year to start the work week before joining much of the province in a deep freeze heading into the weekend.
You can view the full list of watches, warnings, and special weather statements on the ECCC weather information portal.
If you’re looking for how the December forecast for Alberta seems to be shaping up, we have you covered on that. The winter forecast for Alberta is also out to peep, and we have the scoop on how often Calgary and Edmonton have seen white Christmases so far this century.
