The March forecast for Alberta is out and it looks extra mucky
March is finally here, which means spring is just around the corner; however, in Alberta, that can mean a whole lot of mess and unpredictable weather.
We caught up with Environment and Climate Change Canada meteorologist Christy Climenhaga to see what Albertans can expect weather-wise this month, and the amount of wetness or cold you’ll experience this spring depends on where you are in the province.
Northern Alberta is forecast to see cooler-than-normal temperatures, while southern parts of the province, including Calgary, could be slightly warmer than usual. Central Alberta, including Edmonton, sits right in the middle of the two zones and may experience near-normal temperatures, though short-term fluctuations could bring the occasional cold or warm days, Climenhaga noted.
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The outlook is reflected in the short-term forecasts of Alberta’s two largest cities. In Calgary, daily highs this week are forecast to remain above freezing, reaching a high point of 14Ā°C on Saturday, Mar. 7.
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Meanwhile, in Edmonton, daily high temperatures will remain below freezing until Wednesday, with the warmest point of the week on Saturday, Mar. 7, with a high of just 6Ā°C.
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“We’ve been in a cold pattern that’s sticking around for the extreme north of the province, and then there’s kind of a shift,” Climenhaga said.
“Most of our models are pulling in some warmer-than-normal temperatures for the weekend, and then into later next week, we do have kind of hints of some cooler weather returning.”
Precipitation is another story. Overall, models are pointing towards a wetter-than-normal March, particularly in northern regions and around Edmonton. Calgary may see less precipitation than the north, but it still has a chance of above-average moisture.
For reference, Edmonton typically gets about 16.8 millimetres of precipitation and 19 to 20 centimetres of snow in March, while Calgary can often see up to 24 centimetres of snow in what is usually the city’s snowiest month.
Climenhaga emphasizes that March weather can flip quickly, with snow, rain, or a mix of both possible, especially in southern Alberta.
“Winter is officially over, meteorological winter. We are now in meteorological spring, which is March, April, and May. But of course, when you’re in Alberta, you can still see hints of winter weather lingering, especially in March.”
So, there you have it. If you’re looking to get out and enjoy the early days of spring, why not check out our roundup of the best concerts in Edmonton this March, or explore some picturesque neighbourhoods around Calgary!