The April forecast for Alberta is out and the muck isn't done with us yet
In March, Alberta’s two largest cities received nearly double their usual precipitation.
Edmonton recorded 31.4 mm, nearly twice the 30-year average of 16.8 mm, and the 24th wettest March in 143 years. Meanwhile, Calgary saw an especially snowy month, recording 41.2 centimetres of snow, far higher than its 23.8 cm average.
As for what’s in store for April, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) forecasts another wet and cold month ahead.
“It appears the forecast will be below average with respect to temperature and above average with respect to precipitation,” said ECCC meteorologist Terri Lang.
While the north is leaning toward colder-than-average temperatures, the south has a better chance of staying near seasonal averages.
ECCC
And as for precipitation, most of the province is expected to stay above average, though the north currently looks to be drier.
ECCC
Like any Alberta spring, Lang warns against letting warmer days trick you into taking off your winter tires or putting away the shovel too soon.
“March is the snowiest month [in Calgary] if you look at the average, April is the second-snowiest. And the weather is so variable, it’s 17 one day, and you’re out in flip-flops, and the next day you’re shovelling snow.”
As we head into April, the forecast looks mild to frosty with periods of flurries in both Calgary and Edmonton.
Snow is expected to begin Friday night in Edmonton and continue on and off through Monday. Temperatures will bottom out on Saturday night with a low of -15Ā°C. While conditions will improve briefly on Tuesday with a projected high of 4Ā°C, it will be short-lived. Snow and colder temperatures are set to return as we head into April.
ECCC
Calgary’s forecast looks slightly milder, though it’s far from spring-like. Expect intermittent flurries and frosty lows, with temperatures hovering between -3Ā°C and -9Ā°C this weekend. The coldest point of the week will come on Monday night with a low of -11Ā°C.
ECCC