Spring snow forecast for parts of Alberta with up to 50 cm on the way
Tomorrow marks the start of spring for Alberta, and it is shaping up to be a snow-filled one for some parts of the province.
Looking at the Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) Significant Weather Outlook, portions of Alberta are at risk of seeing some snow starting on Friday, March 20.
Nothing like the official start to spring with snow in the forecast, with some heavily populated regions, like the Edmonton metro and Grande Prairie, at risk of seeing 10 to 15 centimetres.
It’s an even snowier day in the Rockies, with Banff National Park and the Icefields Parkway under the gun for 15 to 30 centimetres of snow. Portions of southern Alberta, including Lethbridge and Waterton Lakes National Park, could also see wind gusts of 80 to 100 kilometres per hour tomorrow.
ECCC Significant Weather Outlook
Turning to the outlook for Saturday, March 21, more snow is on the way for the west-central Foothills, with 10 to 15 centimetres in the cards. It’s also shaping up to be a windy one, with wind gusts in the 80 to 100 kilometres per hour range.
ECCC Significant Weather Outlook
A snowfall warning is currently in place from Lake Louise to Saskatchewan River Crossing and Jasper to Saskatchewan River Crossing, with ECCC stating that a period of significant snowfall continues over sections of the Icefields Parkway.
Snowfall amounts will be highly variable, and at elevations above 1,800 m, another 30 to 50 cm can be expected by Saturday morning. The highest accumulations are likely south of Saskatchewan River Crossing, with snow tapering off to flurries by Saturday afternoon.
“Travel will likely be challenging. Visibility will likely be reduced at times. Road closures are possible. Prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions,” the warning added.
Grabbing a look at the major city centres in Alberta, the risk of snow over the next seven days is apparent for Edmonton, with a chance of flurries tonight and tomorrow, with periods of snow on tap for tomorrow night. Next week may also see flurries on Tuesday, March 24, and Wednesday, March 25.
- You might also like:
- Edmonton Oilers owner Daryl Katz's wealth explodes on Forbes ranking of 2026 billionaires
- Two new Nordic spas are in the works in Alberta and one is HUGE
- Rare Elbow River lots in Calgary hitting the market for the first time since 2013 floods
The seven-day forecast for Calgary is much more spring-like, with just a 30 per cent chance of rain showers/flurries tonight and a 30 per cent chance of flurries tomorrow during the day. A small chance of flurries is also possible during the night of Tuesday, March 24.
Edmonton forecast
Environment and Climate Change Canada
According to ECCC, the average high for Edmonton around this time of year is 4°C, while the average low is -6°C.
Calgary forecast
Environment and Climate Change Canada
According to ECCC, the average high for Calgary around this time of year is 5°C, while the average low is -7°C.
If you were curious about how the long-range forecast for all of Alberta is shaping up, here’s what the next three months of weather may also look like in Alberta.