Alberta is forecast to see up to 50 cm of snow and it's almost May
Some nasty weather is on the way for Alberta, and parts of the province may see up to 50 centimetres of snow.
Snowfall warnings have been issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) for areas of northeastern Alberta, including Fort McMurray, which may see total amounts of 30 to 50 centimetres.
Meteorologists say the heaviest snow is expected to fall today, and it will taper off overnight tonight and through the day on Friday. Light snow will continue through to Saturday.
“Travel will likely be hazardous. Property or tree damage is likely. Take frequent breaks and avoid strain when clearing snow. Keep roofs clear to avoid the danger of heavy snow loads,” the warning added.
Nicoleta Ionescu/Shutterstock
A special weather statement is also currently in effect for a large swath of Alberta, including Calgary, Edmonton, Lloydminster, Red Deer, Medicine Hat, and Lethbridge.
That statement cautions that bands of heavy snow are possible tonight through Saturday morning, with locally rapid snow accumulation and poor visibility. Rapidly deteriorating weather conditions are expected with reduced visibility in heavy snow over localized areas.
Snowfall totals will be highly variable, but some areas may see quick accumulations of up to 10 centimetres. Blowing snow is also possible overnight tonight and into Friday afternoon, causing poor visibility.
You can view all ECCC watches, warnings, and special weather statements online.
Daily Hive recently spoke to Terri Lang, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), regarding what is behind the snow making an appearance in Alberta at this time of year.
The system causing all the spring snow in the Prairies is due to what meteorlogists call a Montana low, which forms in that U.S. state and usually travels east and gets out of the Prairies in typically a day or two.
This one, however, is on a “funny path,” taking a bit of a left turn, up through Manitoba and circling back. Lang says that keeps the low-pressure system with all the snow, cloud, and everything rotating around it through the Prairie provinces for a couple of days, and that’s why there’s so much accumulation forecast for places further east than Alberta.
Looking at the seven-day forecast for Edmonton and Calgary, it’s a pretty gross one with plenty of snow on tap. Take a peek at next week, though. We’ll take it!
Edmonton forecast
Environment and Climate Change Canada
According to ECCC, the average high for Edmonton around this time of year is 14°C, while the average low is 2°C.
Calgary forecast
Environment and Climate Change Canada
According to ECCC, the average high for Calgary around this time of year is 13°C, while the average low is zero.