It’s going to be a wild 24 hours on the western Prairies as an abrupt pattern change brings a sharp plunge in temperatures along with the first significant snowfall of the season.
Monday’s high temperature in Calgary is likely going to occur at midnight—and it’s all downhill from there.
Snow will make for slick roads and slow travel in spots throughout central and southern Alberta on Monday. Things could get especially tricky as drivers acclimate to winter driving conditions for the first time this season.
STAY SAFE: Why the first snowfall of the season can catch drivers by surprise
Sharp cold front, snow arrive on Monday
Sunday’s sunshine and warm temperatures across Alberta will seem like a distant memory by Monday morning. We’re in for a rude awakening as a sharp cold front slides south across the province.
Calgary’s high temperature on Monday is likely going to occur at midnight, with temperatures steadily falling through the day as the cold airmass settles into place over the province.
Daytime temperatures will struggle to climb into the lower single digits across Calgary, Red Deer, and Edmonton.
Conditions will stay a little warmer for a little longer down south toward communities like Medicine Hat, but the cold will dominate there soon enough.
We’re watching the development of a Montana low that’ll kick some moisture over the region just as the cold air arrives, creating a recipe for the season’s first significant snowfall for much of southern Alberta.
RELATED: Calgary updates bylaws to include new fines around improper shovelling
It’s early in the season and the ground is still warm, so snow will have a hard time accumulating on solid surfaces at first.
Forecasters expect snowfall totals of 2-5 cm across the Calgary metro area, with locally higher totals possible. Snowfall totals will creep up through the foothills and peak in the mountains, where 10-15 cm of snow is possible through Tuesday.
Things could be worse. This pattern is a far cry from the one we saw in early October 2018, when 32.8 cm made for Calgary’s largest October snowfall on record.
A solid freeze on Monday night will send temperatures falling as much as -7°C in Calgary and -6°C in Red Deer, potentially leading to black ice on any wet surfaces. Look out for slick spots on your Tuesday morning commute.
Temperatures will stay on the cool side through the week, with some days as chilly as 1°C and readings coming in as high as 8°C across the south. This pattern is a true sign that fall has arrived and that winter is coming soon enough.
Continue checking back for all the latest weather updates across Alberta.