Snow forecast for parts of Alberta with nasty Thanksgiving long weekend weather

It’s shaping up to be a Thanksgiving long weekend with a side of snow for some parts of Alberta, with a big cooldown on the way.

While we are still far out from Thanksgiving Monday, Daily Hive spoke with Chloe Katsademas, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), about what Albertans should expect and keep an eye out for.

What is behind the arrival of cooler temperatures over Thanksgiving and the risk of snow in the forecast for Alberta?

Katsademas noted that the cause of the dip in temperatures and risk of snow popping up in some areas over the Thanksgiving long weekend is due to a low-pressure system expected to develop on Thursday in northern B.C. It’s expected to track east and then potentially a little bit further south as it flows along the Prairies.

That system is expected to bring showers mainly to northern and central Alberta, along with parts of the Rockies. Depending on how cool things get, flurries and snow could be at play.

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At this point, as the system moves southward, there is a bit of variability between the models, and it’s not yet known whether the system sticks more to northern sections of the province or is pushed even further south, so “where exactly the things line up is very much up in the air for now,” says Katsademas. However, Albertans should expect some chances of wintry weather, most likely over the Rockies, and then possibly in those northern sections with the colder air associated with the system.

Due to the complex nature of the incoming system and its rapid development, any snowfall amounts and where specifically may be hardest hit is still up in the air.

“At least today, there was variation in the model run compared to yesterday, so it’s pretty complicated, but it’s expected to be the first fall/winter weather kind of storm,” she added.

Looking at areas that are currently forecast to see the higher risk of snow over the Thanksgiving long weekend, it’s shaping up to be a pretty miserable one for some.

Grande Cache

Grande Cache is forecast to see rain heading into the long weekend and rain showers or flurries the night of Friday, Oct. 9, with periods of snow on tap for Saturday, Oct. 10 and a high of -1°C.

Grande Prairie

Grande Prairie is forecast to see rain heading into the long weekend, with snow on tap for Saturday, Oct. 10 and a high of 2°C. The overnight low for Saturday will also be a very chilly -9°C.

Slave Lake

Slave Lake is forecast to see rain heading into the long weekend, with rain or snow on tap for Saturday, Oct. 10 and a high of 4°C.

Heavily populated centres like Edmonton and Calgary seem to be spared from the worst of this system for the time being, but Katsademas stress to keep an eye on the forecast over the coming days as the forecast becomes clearer.

“Be prepared for variations in weather. If you are planning on travelling, make sure you know make sure you know what to expect. Make sure you keep up to date with what the forecast is suggesting. There are a lot of models out there, and right now this system is definitely a complicated one.”

Luckily, temperatures will start to improve for much of the province as soon as Thanksgiving Monday arrives, with warmer weather in store as we roll through early next week.

You can view your local ECCC forecast online.

If you were curious about how the next few months of weather in Alberta are shaping up, we’ve got you covered.