Folks across the Prairies in the path of a potent snowstorm are advised to remain off the roads on Sunday still, even if it has begun to ease in some locales, as conditions are still treacherous.
Roads are still snow-covered and reduced visibility has been reported throughout much of southern Alberta and southern Saskatchewan throughout the storm. Conditions in southern Manitoba have now begun to deteriorate as the storm moves eastward.
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A widespread swath of Alberta and Saskatchewan could see 30-40 cm of snow by the end of the storm, with at least some accumulations expected in every major city on the Prairies.
Avoid travel during periods of heavy snow and reduced visibility. This is a very cold snowstorm and getting stranded could be a life-threatening ordeal. Be sure to stay up-to-date with the latest watches and warnings, as well as the latest road conditions in your area.
Major snowfall totals of 20-40 cm by the time it wraps up
While some snowfall warnings have been dropped in Alberta, some continue in the east-northeast section along the Saskatchewan border, extending across into Manitoba as the disruptive storm continues its eastward track.
Although the majority of the snow will wrap up by Sunday afternoon, drifting snow will make travel tough across Saskatchewan.
The storm will quickly become moisture-starved Sunday, and will be far from an impactful storm by the time it reaches northwestern Ontario Ontario.
By the time the storm wraps up, a widespread swath of 30-40 cm of snow is expected from southeastern Alberta through southern Saskatchewan, including the cities of Saskatoon and Prince Albert. Regina may be on track for 20-30 cm of snow by the end of the storm. We’re looking at totals closer to 5-10 cm farther east toward Winnipeg.
Blustery winds 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.”
WATCH: Icy layer on Alberta roads is making travel treacherous this weekend
Unusually heavy snow for Edmonton airport
Edmonton saw approximately 19 cm of snow on Saturday, a bit of an abnormal, wintry event for the region.
While it fell short of 20 cm, the last time the city saw that much snow was on April 15, 2002 when 23.7 cm fell. Meanwhile, you’d have to head back even further for 30 cm of 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.
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Temperatures take a frigid turn
Things are only going to go downhill from here. It’s already frigid across the Prairies and temperatures are expected to get even colder heading toward the end of November.
A frigid air mass from Siberia will cross over the North Pole this week and sweep into Canada around the turn of the month.
The month will end with daytime temperatures remaining in the -20s. Regina, Sask., didn’t see a -20 temperature last winter until mid-January.
Many communities will struggle to climb out of the minus double digits by Friday, with bitterly cold wind chill values to match the deep freeze.
Thumbnail courtesy of Harley Verbonac, taken in Edmonton, Alta.
Stay with The Weather Network for all the latest on conditions across the Prairies.