Prairie Weather (Rural Roots Canada) –  Another (too) dry week across the prairies, but very warm!

A warm weather pattern will dominate across the Canadian Prairies this week. The animated temperature anomaly map below highlights how conditions are expected to trend through Sunday evening.

Throughout the week, Alberta and Saskatchewan will experience temperatures that are above, and at times well above,  seasonal averages, reinforcing an extended stretch of mild Prairie weather. ,Manitoba will also see warmer-than-normal temperatures, although conditions may briefly trend closer to average on Wednesday and again during the latter half of the weekend.

It’s important to note that the values shown on the map do not represent actual air temperatures. Instead, they illustrate temperature anomalies, indicating how much warmer or cooler conditions are expected to be compared to long-term averages.

This pattern supports continued mild conditions across much of the Prairie Provinces, with implications for travel, agriculture, and outdoor activity planning.

Much of the Canadian Prairies have received little to no meaningful precipitation over the past several weeks, with many regions reporting only a few millimetres of moisture. A persistent ridge of high pressure remains anchored over western Canada, effectively blocking Pacific moisture from reaching Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.

Monday

Alberta

A Pacific system will brush Alberta on Monday, bringing very strong winds to the southern foothills and southwest, where gusts could approach 100 km/h. In northern Alberta, particularly near High Level and Fort McMurray, expect a messy mix of freezing rain and light snow, with 2 to 4 cm of accumulation possible.

Central and southern Alberta will stay dry and unusually mild, with a brisk west wind. Afternoon highs will range from 4 to 7 across central and north-central Alberta.
South of the Trans-Canada Highway, temperatures will climb into the double digits, driven by strong downslope winds and a lack of snow cover. Near the U.S. border, highs in the low to mid-teens are expected.  That’s nearly 20° above seasonal averages.

Saskatchewan

A weak low pressure system will track from northwest to southeast across northern Saskatchewan, bringing the risk of patchy freezing rain to the northern grain belt and areas near the Alberta boundary. By late afternoon, precipitation will transition to light snow, with a narrow southern fringe possibly seeing liquid rain.

Central and southern Saskatchewan will remain mostly quiet as temperatures edge above freezing. West of Regina and south of the Trans-Canada Highway, conditions will be exceptionally warm for January. In areas with existing snow cover, highs may reach 6 to 9 degrees.

Manitoba

A system sliding through central Manitoba and the Interlake may bring freezing rain, with weather warnings likely during the morning hours. Northern Manitoba could receive 5–10 cm of snowfall.

South of the lakes, skies will remain cloudy but dry, with a southwest wind. Temperatures will continue to rise, with highs west of the Red River Valley reaching 0 to 4 degrees by afternoon. Winnipeg and areas north and east will be slightly cooler, with temperatures ranging from –5 to 0;  still 10 to 15 degrees above normal.

 

Tuesday

Alberta

The January thaw intensifies. Under a strengthening ridge of high pressure, southern Alberta will see plenty of sunshine, with afternoon highs climbing into the low teens south of the Trans-Canada Highway. Farther north, temperatures will rise above freezing all the way to High Level and Wood Buffalo. No significant weather systems are expected.

 

Parts of Saskatchewan and Manitoba can expect snow on Tuesday. The map below highlights 24-hour snowfall accumulations through early evening, with localized impacts possible depending on track and intensity.

 

Saskatchewan

The warming trend continues across Saskatchewan, with sunny to partly cloudy conditions dominating much of the province. Daytime highs will range from 0 to 4 in southern and central regions. In contrast, the northern forested areas will remain colder, with highs between –10 and –15, much closer to seasonal norms.

Within this colder air mass, snow will persist from the previous day, forming a northwest-to-southeast band across northern Saskatchewan. Along the southern edge of the precipitation band, roughly from north of Yorkton to Prince Albert, liquid rain is possible.

Though freezing rain is not likely, it’s also not impossible, so it would be wise to check road conditions and updated weather forecasts before driving through the wet weather.

Manitoba

A fast-moving clipper system will cross central Manitoba early in the morning, bringing significant snowfall to central regions, rain to west-central Manitoba, and the risk of freezing rain along a corridor from Grand Beach to Kenora.

After sunrise, precipitation will gradually taper but will not fully end. By afternoon, snow will continue along a band from Turtle Mountain to The Pas. As high pressure builds into northern Manitoba during the evening, this snow band will shift westward into Saskatchewan by early Wednesday morning.

Tuesday afternoon temperatures will sit near –10 across most of Manitoba, except in the far southwest, where readings may briefly rise just above freezing.

Wednesday

Alberta

A mild and quiet weather pattern remains locked in place — good news for livestock operations and travel. Highs will stay well above average, with mid-single-digit temperatures in Calgary and Edmonton.

South of the Trans-Canada Highway, conditions will once again be exceptionally warm, with afternoon highs reaching 14 to 16. The absence of snow cover continues to amplify warming, allowing solar energy to be absorbed rather than reflected. No precipitation is expected, as a strong upper-level ridge remains firmly in control.

Saskatchewan

Under the same ridge warming Alberta, western Saskatchewan will see temperatures climb above freezing. Meanwhile, eastern Saskatchewan will remain under a northerly flow, keeping temperatures below zero but still above seasonal averages.

This northerly flow will also transport significant snowfall from northern Saskatchewan southward along the Manitoba border, primarily affecting forested regions, with snow reaching as far south as Dauphin. On the western edge of the snow band, narrow zones of rain or freezing rain are possible. Strong winds and reduced visibility are likely, and travelers north of Prince Albert should check highway and weather conditions before departure.

Southern Saskatchewan will remain dry and mostly sunny.

Manitoba

A surface ridge of high pressure will slide south from northern Manitoba to Emerson by late afternoon, maintaining clear skies across most of the province. As the ridge moves south, snow will develop along the Saskatchewan border, extending south to Dauphin by afternoon.

Strong winds are expected in northern Manitoba and west of Lake Winnipegosis. With the onset of a northerly flow, temperatures will drop sharply. Highs near –10 will occur early in the day, falling to near –20 by evening across central and southern Manitoba. Northern regions will remain in the –20s throughout the day.

Thursday

Alberta

The upper ridge remains influential, although temporarily suppressed as a strong Arctic low moves east across the southern Arctic. Temperatures cool compared to earlier in the week but remain above seasonal averages, with highs near 5  in southern Alberta and near freezing farther north.  Expect mainly sunny conditions across Alberta, except for northeastern regions, where the Arctic low will produce some light snowfalls.

Strong northwesterly winds develop across eastern Alberta, creating potential challenges for livestock in exposed pastures. Dry weather continues, keeping winter field access and rural travel conditions generally favourable.

Saskatchewan

Strong winds dominate much of Saskatchewan as the Arctic system pushes southeast. Southern Saskatchewan may experience warning level wind gusts, increasing wind chill impacts for livestock despite relatively mild weather.  South of Prince Albert, expect highs between 0 and -5.   To the north, it will be much colder, with highs from -12 to -17.

Light snow and flurries develop mainly across eastern Saskatchewan. Due to recent melting and refreezing, widespread blowing snow is limited, though brief visibility reductions remain possible in heavier flurries.

Manitoba

As shown on the map below, Thursday will be a snowy day across much of Manitoba, with accumulating snowfall expected and travel conditions likely to deteriorate.

 

 

Snow spreads across southern and central Manitoba as a warm front lifts northward. Accumulations remain modest, but strengthening winds later in the day may lead to localized blowing snow in open agricultural areas.

Temperatures briefly rise toward or slightly above freezing, increasing the risk of surface icing before colder air arrives overnight.

Friday

Alberta

Cooler but seasonable winter weather persists with lighter winds and a mix of sun and cloud. No precipitation is expected. These conditions remain supportive for winter feeding, livestock movement, and rural operations.  In southern Alberta, highs will range from -6 to +1.  In central Alberta, highs will be close to -10, and in the northern part of Alberta, expect highs in the -15 to -20 degree range.

Saskatchewan

As the main low drops into northwestern Ontario, periods of light snow continue across eastern and southern Saskatchewan. Strong northerly winds create localized blowing snow, especially where fresh snowfall occurs.

While widespread drifting is limited due to a hardened snowpack, southwestern Saskatchewan remains an area to watch for overnight visibility reductions. Wind exposure remains the primary agricultural concern.

In southwestern Saskatchewan, highs will range from -6 to -10.   Central and southeastern Saskatchewan will experience highs near -15,  and in the north, highs will come in below -20.

Manitoba

Snow continues through the day, with total accumulations generally between 2 and 5 cm. Northerly winds increase, particularly across western Manitoba and the Interlake, leading to areas of blowing snow and reduced visibility.

Colder Arctic air pushes south, increasing livestock stress and feed requirements heading into the weekend.  In southern Manitoba and the Interlake, expect highs between -15 and -20.   North of the lakes, highs will range from -20 to -25.

 

Saturday

A huge temperature contrast develops for the prairies on Saturday,  as warm air returns to Alberta and Manitoba plunges into a deep freeze.   Southern Alberta will be 30 degrees warmer than southern Manitoba.    The map below shows expected early evening temperatures on Saturday:

Alberta

The upper ridge rebuilds, allowing temperatures to rebound. Southern Alberta warms into the upper single digits, while central and northern regions climb a few degrees above freezing. Dry conditions persist, limiting concerns for snow accumulation or wind-related stress.   Late in the day, snow flurries may develop in far northeastern Alberta, coming from a surface low pressure system in northern Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan

Western Saskatchewan remains relatively mild under lingering upper-level ridging, while eastern Saskatchewan cools as Arctic high pressure advances aloft. Despite the temperature contrast, snow is expected across northern and central Saskatchewan as a weak surface low drops south from the Northwest Territories.

By late afternoon and evening, the band of snow will track southeast along the Manitoba boundary toward the U.S. border.  In northern Saskatchewan, expect accumulations of 5-10 cm.  Along the  Manitoba boundary south of the Yellowhead Highway, snowfall will be lighter with accumulations of 1-3 cm.

Overnight temperatures fall sharply, increasing wind chill risks for livestock, particularly across eastern Saskatchewan, where exposure and feed requirements will increase.

Manitoba

An incoming low-pressure system will bring snow to Manitoba late in the day. Snow begins during the afternoon across northern Manitoba and along the Saskatchewan boundary, extending as far south as the U.S. border.

By evening, the low moves toward the northern tip of Lake Winnipeg, allowing snow to expand across most of the province.  Snbwfall amounts will be generally less than 10 cm, except in the far north.

Ahead of the system, expect a mix of sun and cloud earlier in the day. Temperatures remain cold across Manitoba, with daytime highs ranging from -16 to -23, increasing energy demands for livestock.

Sunday

Alberta

Colder air returns to Alberta, particularly in the south, where daytime highs fall below freezing for the first time in more than a week.  Southern Alberta and the foothills south of Highway 3: Highs of -2 to -5.  Central and northern Alberta: Highs between -10 and -15.

A surface ridge of Arctic high pressure moves into the province, reinforcing the cooler conditions. A weak upslope flow may generate brief flurries in the Alberta foothills, mainly south of the Yellowhead Highway toward the U.S. border.

Saskatchewan

The southern half of Saskatchewan starts Sunday with light snow, as the region lies on the northwestern side of a low tracking into North Dakota along Manitoba’s Red River Valley.  As the system pulls away, snow tapers off and clearing skies develop through the afternoon and evening.  Snowfall accumulations will be light; generally less than 5 cm.  High temperatures range from -15 to -20, except in southwestern Saskatchewan, where readings may be about 5 degrees warmer

Manitoba

The low responsible for Saturday’s snow continues to affect southern and central Manitoba early Sunday before moving south along the Red River Valley into the United States.

As the system departs, snow tapers off and clearing conditions spread across the province. By evening, dry weather returns province wide. Temperatures remain cold, with daytime highs near -20, increasing feed requirements and livestock stress.

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