Just as one snowstorm ends, another begins, with snowfall warnings now spanning parts of the Prairies heading into the weekend.
The incoming system will bring more heavy snow and travel troubles, with some areas in line to see 20-40 cm of snow by the time all is said and done on Sunday. The snow coupled with gusty winds could result in reduced visibilities and dangerous road conditions at times.
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The snow will come in rounds, challenging travel starting on Friday. Snowfall rates will pick up through Saturday, and with such cold temperatures in place, the snow will be fluffy, allowing it to accumulate rather quickly.
Be sure to check back for the latest forecast updates, and stay alert to all of the weather watches and warnings in your area. Winter driving isn’t at the top of everyone’s minds just yet, so it’ll be important to adjust to the changing conditions, with slick and snowy roads expected once again.
Heavy snow puts wintry spin on this weekend
There’s barely any breathing room between storms across the Prairies this week, with winter arriving in a hurry, and dishing out more difficult travel conditions for the weekend.
Another system will move into British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest to end the week, bringing in moisture and energy for a low to form lee of the Rockies in Montana. While the system will develop on Saturday, some moisture will spill over the Rockies on Friday, and that will bring snow before the storm arrives.
The intensity will vary through the day on Friday, with general amounts of 5 to 10 cm expected across parts of southern Alberta and Saskatchewan by Saturday morning. A snowfall warning has been issued, and includes the city of Calgary.
The snow will continue to pick up in Alberta and Saskatchewan into Saturday morning and afternoon.
At times, snowfall rates will intensify to 2-4 cm per hour in some areas. With much cooler temperatures locked in, this snow will be fluffy, and could accumulate rather quickly.
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Major snowfall totals of 20-40 cm
The overall snowfall forecast has increased, prompting widespread snow warnings across central and southern Alberta and Saskatchewan. Many areas will see between 15-25 cm through Sunday, with some of the harder-hit areas along the provincial border seeing as much as 40 cm.
Breezy wind gusts of 30-40 km/h will cause blowing snow and reduced visibility. Drivers are being urged to prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions.
“Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow,” says Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) in the snowfall warning. “Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become difficult to navigate due to accumulating snow.”
Road closures will be a main threat heading into the weekend once again, as well as additional issues with heavy snow possibly impacting the power grid. Be sure to charge devices ahead of time, and have a proper storm plan in place.
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Unusually heavy snow for Edmonton airport
Edmonton is forecast to see around 20 cm of snow on Saturday, a bit of an abnormal wintry event for the region.
The last time 20 cm was recorded was back on April 15, 2002 when 23.7 cm fell. Meanwhile, you’d have to head back even further for a 30 cm snowfall, and that was when 36.2 cm hit the region on April 6, 1991. That was in fact the largest single day snowfall ever recorded for Edmonton airport.
This weekend’s snowfall could be close to one of the biggest one-day snowfalls in the past 20 years in Edmonton!
Temperatures take a frigid turn
Temperatures have dropped significantly, and are expected to trend colder across the region during the rest of November.
For many, this will be the first time this season that daytime highs don’t warm above -10°C. Alberta will also be looking at minus double-digit temperatures going forward into the long range next week.
Stay with The Weather Network for all the latest on conditions across the Prairies.
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Thumbnail image courtesy: Chris Dawson