Prairie Weather (Rural Roots Canada) – A dry beginning to the New Year on the southern Prairies.
The week, the month, the year begins with continued concern over moisture levels in the southern prairies. January is, historically, one of the drier months of the year, and this year, January snow is badly needed on the prairies, especially in southern Alberta and Southern Saskatchewan. The chart below shows little to no snow on the ground in those areas.
An image from a 511Alberta highway camera confirms the dry conditions along highway 4 near Stirling, south of Lethbridge:
By contrast, a healthy snowpack has developed in and around the Peace Region of Alberta, as shown in the image below. captured near Demmit:
Above is not just an image of snow covered fields, it’s an image of hope for an area that has been devastated by some of the most severe drought in all of Canada.
Unfortunately, as the following two maps show, beneficial snow is not expected this week across most of the southern prairies. The maps show total snowfall accumulation up to and including Sunday night:
Over the next seven days, the weather across the Canadian Prairies will be defined by a northwesterly flow that serves as a boundary between harsh Arctic air to the north and milder Pacific influences to the south. While the active pattern of the previous weeks is beginning to break down, a “train of impulses” will continue to bring frequent but weak disturbances along, and north of the Yellowhead corridor.
Monday
Alberta
A developing low pressure system in the Northwest Territories will drive a band of snow across northern Alberta, moving west to east through the morning. Accumulating snow may briefly reduce visibility on rural roads and create minor delays for livestock movement, and other farm transportation. By early afternoon, the snow shifts east into Saskatchewan. Tbe sky will clear as drier air moves in.
Across central and southern Alberta, conditions remain dry and mainly sunny, as high pressure builds into east central Alberta during the afternoon. This will provide a short window of favourable weather for outdoor work.
A westerly wind in southern Alberta, particularly south of Highway 3, will help push daytime temperatures to near 0 or slightly above, offering improved comfort for both people and animals. However, much colder conditions persist elsewhere, with highs ranging from -15 to -20 across much of the province.
Saskatchewan
Light snow will move across central and northern Saskatchewan on Monday, creating periodically reduced visibility on rural roads and highways. There is also a risk of freezing rain near Moosomin around midday, which could make travel hazardous along the Trans-Canada Highway and nearby secondary roads, potentially affecting grain hauling, livestock transport, and input deliveries.
As high pressure builds into the province during the afternoon, the sky will gradually clear, and any lingering freezing rain and snow shift east into Manitoba by evening. Improving conditions later in the day will benefit afternoon and evening farm operations, particularly in western and central regions.
A warm westerly wind across southern Saskatchewan will push temperatures close to the freezing mark near the U.S. border, easing cold stress for livestock and improving working conditions. However, north of Highway 13, much colder air remains in place, with daytime highs between -15 and -20. Temperatures will be even colder in the boreal forest, with high wind chill.
Manitoba
Relatively mild winter weather is expected across the Interlake and southern Manitoba on Monday, with afternoon temperatures climbing above -10. While this is favourable for livestock care, and outdoor farm work, the milder air will also introduce increased weather-related risk.
A southeasterly flow drawing moisture northward from a U.S. weather system will create a widespread risk of freezing rain across southern Manitoba throughout the day. The freezing rain threat extends to all regions south of the lakes, including the Red River Valley, and may occur at any time, creating slippery conditions on rural roads, farmyards, and feedlots. Travel should be undertaken with extreme care. Ice buildup could also affect power lines, fencing, and water systems.
Farther north, temperatures will be closer to seasonal norms, ranging from -15 across central Manitoba to near -30 in the far north. In these colder regions, light snow is expected to develop during the afternoon and evening, spreading from the Interlake northward to the Nunavut boundary.
Tuesday
Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba
High pressure will dominate Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba on Tuesday, bringing mostly dry and stable weather across the Prairie Provinces.
A weak disturbance will generate light snow across the forested regions of northeastern Saskatchewan and northwestern Manitoba during the afternoon, but major agricultural areas will remain dry, allowing field access and rural travel conditions to stay generally favourable.
A westerly wind will usher in milder air across the southern Prairies. In southern and central Alberta, daytime highs will range within a few degrees of 0, reducing cold stress on livestock and easing energy demands. Southern Saskatchewan will see temperatures warming into the -1 to -7 range, while central and northern Saskatchewan remain colder, with highs staying in the negative double digits.
In Manitoba, temperatures will hold near seasonal averages, with highs between -11 and -14 in southern agricultural regions, cooling into the -20s north of Thompson.
Wednesday
Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba
Dry and relatively mild winter weather will continue across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, despite the presence of weak low-pressure systems developing over central and northern Saskatchewan. These systems are expected to have minimal impact on agricultural regions, allowing farm operations, and rural travel to proceed with few weather-related disruptions.
The weak lows may generate brief snow flurries near midday along the Yellowhead Highway corridor between Lloydminster and Edmonton, but snowfall amounts will be light and accumulations insignificant.
Elsewhere, you can expect a mix of sun and cloud across the Prairie Provinces, accompanied by a southwesterly wind bringing slightly milder air. Across southern and central agricultural regions, afternoon temperatures will generally range between -5 and -10, offering manageable conditions for winter livestock management.
In southern Alberta, localized warm air pockets will push temperatures above the freezing mark south of, and along an east–west line through Vulcan, raising the potential for surface melt in farmyards and feedlots. Meanwhile, the northern forested regions of all three provinces will also see some moderation, though temperatures there will remain colder, with highs in the -15 to -20 range.
Thursday
Alberta
Southern Alberta remains dry, providing favourable conditions for livestock care, grain hauling, and winter equipment maintenance. A few isolated flurries may develop late in the afternoon near Edmonton and east of Drumheller, but accumulations are expected to be minimal and unlikely to be disruptive.
Across northern Alberta, snow will move through the forested regions, driven by a low pressure system near Fort McMurray. Outside of the north, expect a mix of sun and cloud across most of the province.
Mild winter weather continues, especially in southern Alberta, where afternoon highs in the Lethbridge area may again rise above 0. This could lead to localized melting in farmyards and feedlots. Between the Trans Canada and Yellowhead highways, highs will range from -5 to -10, while northern Alberta remains colder, with daytime highs closer to -20.
Saskatchewan
Mild and dry conditions persist across southern Saskatchewan, with afternoon highs between -4 and -10.
In central Saskatchewan, cooler air follows the passage of a weak system producing light snow early in the morning. Along the Yellowhead corridor from Lloydminster through Saskatoon to Yorkton, highs will range from -10 to -15, which may increase energy requirements for livestock but should not significantly impact transportation.
Under a clearing sky, northern Saskatchewan will be slightly colder, with highs between -15 and -20.
Manitoba
Seasonably cold winter weather continues across Manitoba on Thursday, with most agricultural regions remaining below -10 throughout the day. In the far north, temperatures will stay in the -20s during the afternoon, increasing the risk of cold stress for livestock.
Early in the morning, a low pressure system over the northern basin of Lake Winnipeg will move east toward Ontario, generating snow across parts of central Manitoba. The Interlake and areas east of Lake Winnipeg will see the most snowfall, which could impact local travel.
A westerly wind will keep southern Manitoba’s primary agricultural regions dry, allowing farm operations and transportation to continue with minimal weather-related disruption.
Friday
Alberta
Dry weather will continue across most of Alberta on Friday. The main exception will be the Peace Region, where snow develops during the afternoon, affecting areas north of Grande Prairie.
As the day progresses, an area of snow will spread across the northern half of Alberta from west to east during the evening hours. The heaviest snowfall is expected in the Peace Region, where 5 to 10 cm of accumulation is possible. While freezing rain is not expected, it cannot be completely ruled out, so there is a slight possibility of slick road conditions, reduced visibility, and transportation delays.
Elsewhere across the province, conditions remain dry, with a westerly wind bringing continued mild temperatures to southern Alberta. South of Barons, afternoon highs will reach 5 to 7 degrees, increasing the likelihood of surface melt in farmyards, feedlots, and low-lying fields. In south-central Alberta, highs will range between 0 and -5.
Farther north, colder air remains in place, with highs between -10 and -20 north of Edmonton. Livestock producers in these regions should continue monitoring wind chill exposure, especially as snow moves through the north later in the day.
Saskatchewan
Above seasonal temperatures will continue across southern Saskatchewan on Friday, particularly south of the Trans-Canada Highway, where afternoon highs will range between -5 and -10.
Across central and northern Saskatchewan, colder air remains in place, with daytime highs closer to -20. Producers in these regions should continue to monitor, as cold stress remains a factor.
Expect a mix of sun and cloud across Saskatchewan, along with isolated light snow flurries in central and southeastern Saskatchewan throughout the day. Snowfall amounts will be minimal and non-disruptive.
Manitoba
A weak low pressure system will move across southern Manitoba during the day, producing light snowfall with minimal accumulation. Weather-related disruptions to agricultural operations are expected to be limited.
During the morning hours, light snow will be concentrated north of Dauphin along the Saskatchewan boundary, potentially creating brief reductions in visibility. By midday, the snow will spread west to east across the province, reaching the Interlake region, while southern Manitoba’s primary agricultural areas remain largely dry.
By the afternoon, the snow shifts into southeastern Manitoba before exiting the province. Snowfall totals will be light.
Temperatures will remain seasonably cold, with afternoon highs near -10 across southern Manitoba, around -15 in central regions, and below -20 north of Gillam.
Saturday and Sunday
The southern prairies will remain dry through the weekend. A low pressure system will generate snow in northern Alberta Saturday, and will cross the northern forests of Saskatchewan and Manitoba on Sunday. Agricultural areas will not receive any of this precipitation. A westerly wind will keep most of the three provinces dry all weekend long. Saturday will be an extraordinarily warm day with double digit highs in southern Alberta.
All the way to the north, expect highs just above zero in Alberta on Saturday, and just below zero on Sunday. Southwestern Saskatchewan will also warm above the melting point on Saturday. For Manitoba, Saturday will be cold, but some of the milder Pacific air will reach the region on Sunday, pushing temperatures closer to zero.
