Alberta could see more than 20 cm of snow over Thanksgiving weekend, ECCC says

Environment and Climate Change Canada says accumulating snow is expected across much of Alberta by Saturday, with more than 20 centimetres possible in western areas. Calgary could see snow by Saturday as colder weather brings potentially deteriorating travel conditions over the long weekend.

CTV News Calgary has reported:

Alberta is expected to get its first accumulating snow of the season late this week, with totals potentially exceeding 20 centimetres in western areas. Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) issued a widespread special weather statement Thursday morning, warning that the system could affect travel during the Thanksgiving long weekend.

Warm weather is expected to continue across most of the province Thursday, with daytime highs reaching the mid-teens in southern Alberta. A shift bringing colder air and precipitation is expected to start Thursday night. Rain will spread across northern Alberta on Thursday, then change to snow in northern Alberta and B.C. before moving south and east on Friday and Saturday.

“Rain will begin to spread across northern Alberta today. Precipitation will change to snow on Friday in west-central regions, and for much of the province by Saturday,” ECCC said on its website. The agency said the first snowfall could affect holiday travel and that snow could begin in Calgary by Saturday. Many areas are expected to see accumulating snow that day, possibly including the Calgary-Edmonton corridor.

The highest amounts are forecast for western locations, including Grande Cache, Hinton and Jasper National Park, where totals could exceed 20 centimetres. ECCC said snowfall amounts elsewhere remain uncertain. The snow is expected to taper off by Sunday, and the agency advises travellers to prepare for “quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions.”

Calgary’s first mixed precipitation or snow may melt on roads because surfaces are still warm. Strong north winds and temperatures peaking at 2 C from Friday night through Monday could, however, allow ice or slush to build up. Visibility may be affected, and road conditions could deteriorate quickly as wind combines with falling rain or snow.

Highs are not expected to rise above 3 C during the cold spell. Calgary’s overnight lows are forecast to fall below freezing Saturday and Sunday; the usual range for this time of year is a high of 14 C and a low of 0 C. The long weekend is expected to end with a mix of sun and cloud and a high of 10 C in Calgary. Temperatures should return to seasonal values by midweek. More weather details are available on the CTV News Calgary weather page.