Prairie Weather (Rural Roots Canada) – At last! Snow! This could be one of the snowiest weeks of the season – and perfectly timed.

SNOW!  Those who need snow are going to need this forecast. Those who love snow are going to love this forecast.  After months of dry weather, significant snowfall is expected over the agricultural lands of the prairies this week. This is exactly what producers need as planting season approaches. The map below shows the expected snowfall accumulation up to early evening Sunday, March 15:

Week after week over the winter, we’ve seen significant snow north of the Yellowhead highway.  This week, more snow will fall to the south of the Yellowhead. with week-long totals in the 25 to 50 cm range.   Upslope enhancement will boost snowfall levels in Alberta’s foothills.

Monday

Alberta

Light snow left behind by the weather system that returned winter conditions to Alberta on Sunday will continue through Monday across parts of the province. Flurries and occasional periods of light snow are expected in southern and central Alberta, bringing additional accumulations of roughly 1 to 3 centimetres. While the snowfall will be relatively minor, it will help maintain the existing late-winter snowpack across agricultural regions.

Most of the snowfall is expected to remain south of the boreal forest, where skies will stay mainly cloudy but with limited additional precipitation. Winds will not be a significant factor across the province on Monday, reducing the risk of blowing snow and keeping rural travel conditions generally manageable on highways and secondary roads.

Daytime temperatures will remain slightly below seasonal averages. Highs across central and southern Alberta are expected to range from about −2 to −5. In far northern parts of the province, colder Arctic air will keep daytime highs between −10 and −15.

For Alberta’s agricultural sector, the additional light snow may offer some modest benefits. Maintaining snow cover in late winter can help protect overwintering crops such as fall rye and winter wheat from temperature fluctuations. The added snowpack can also contribute to soil moisture reserves heading into the spring seeding season, particularly in areas that experienced drier conditions earlier in the winter.

Livestock producers should see relatively stable conditions on Monday, as light winds will limit wind chill stress on animals. However, producers should continue monitoring yard conditions, as repeated light snowfalls can gradually create slippery surfaces around feeding areas and farmyards.

Overall, Monday’s Alberta weather pattern represents a quieter continuation of the weekend system, with light snow, calm winds, and cool temperatures maintaining typical late-winter conditions across much of the province.

Saskatchewan

Light snow and flurries across the Interlake region and parts of southern Manitoba early Monday morning will gradually dissipate as the day progresses. As the lingering snow ends, skies will clear with the arrival of a strong Arctic high-pressure system advancing from the northwest.

This incoming Arctic high will bring abundant sunshine to much of Manitoba, but it will also usher in sharply colder temperatures across the province. High temperatures across central and southern Manitoba will generally range between −10 and −15, creating a bright but frigid late winter day.

Conditions will be significantly colder farther north. Communities in northern Manitoba will see much lower daytime temperatures, and areas such as Tadoule Lake may struggle to reach a high warmer than −30. With light winds and very cold air in place, wind chill values could approach −40 at times, creating dangerous outdoor conditions.

The return of strong Arctic high pressure will help preserve the province’s existing snowpack. This is generally beneficial for crop producers, as snow accumulation provides an important source of soil moisture that will recharge fields during the spring melt. Adequate snow cover can also help protect overwintering crops and perennial forage from extreme temperature swings.

The dry and sunny conditions will also help stabilize rural roads and farmyards following the morning flurries.

Tuesday

Alberta

Temperatures in southeastern Alberta will rebound slightly, with afternoon highs climbing just above the freezing mark. This brief warm-up may slightly destabilize the atmosphere, creating a small chance of isolated convective snow showers. While this type of snow shower is not highly likely, it is possible. If any do develop, snowfall accumulations would be minor and short-lived.

Across most other parts of Alberta, expect mainly sunny conditions and seasonably cold weather. High temperatures in central and southern regions will generally range from −2 to −6.

In northern Alberta, temperatures will be similar, but a weak low-pressure system is expected to begin developing near Grande Prairie during the day. As this system forms, it may trigger light snow in northwestern Alberta during the afternoon. Accumulations will be minor.

The slight warm-up in southeastern parts of the province could briefly soften the surface snowpack and create minor daytime melting in both exposed and sheltered areas. However, with temperatures only marginally above freezing, widespread melting or runoff is not expected.

Overall, Alberta’s weather pattern will remain typical for early March, with cold but stable conditions in central regions supporting snowpack retention that will benefit soil moisture heading into the 2026 growing season.

Saskatchewan

A weak low-pressure system centred near Saskatoon early in the morning will bring a brief period of warm frontal snow across parts of eastern Saskatchewan. The band of light snow will track northeast through areas such as Melfort and continue toward the Manitoba boundary, though it will be short-lived as the low rapidly weakens.

Snow associated with the system will also extend southward along the Manitoba boundary before gradually weakening as it drifts east. Most communities in these eastern regions can expect minor accumulations of about 1 to 2 centimetres. Because the system is weak and moving quickly, it will not remain over any one location long enough to produce significant snowfall.

In southwestern Saskatchewan, conditions will remain dry as a mild westerly airflow develops behind the system. This will allow temperatures to climb a few degrees above the freezing mark.

Elsewhere across Saskatchewan, temperatures will remain below freezing with daytime highs generally ranging from −5 to −10, maintaining typical late-winter conditions.

In southwestern Saskatchewan, temperatures rising slightly above freezing may lead to minor daytime snowmelt, particularly on exposed fields and farmyards. While widespread runoff is not expected, localized thawing followed by overnight refreezing could create icy conditions on rural roads, feedlots, and farmyards, requiring caution for agricultural equipment and livestock movement.

Manitoba

A weakening low from Saskatchewan will provide some morning snow along the provincial boundary and toward the northern Interlake in the afternoon.   Otherwise,  Manitoba can expect a dry day under a partly cloudy sky.   No significant weather is expected in the province Tuesday. It will be chilly, with highs of -6 to -12 in the southern half of the province, and -14 to -25 in the northern half.

Wednesday

Environment Canada’s significant weather chart for Wednesday tells the story. Other than Alberta’s mountains, significant snowfall is not expected on the prairies:

Alberta and Saskatchewan

The above chart should not be misinterpreted to suggest there will be no snow over the prairies on Wednesday.  There will be some light snow in the forests of northern Alberta and northern Saskatchewan, due to a weak low that will form in north-central Alberta early in the morning. The low will quickly fizzle, and by the end of the day, partly cloudy conditions will replace the earlier light snowfall. Highs in the snowy regions of both provinces will range from -8 to -14. In the southern halves of the two provinces, it will remain dry and relatively warm. Highs will reach a few degrees either side of zero across the region.

Manitoba

Arctic high pressure continues its influence over the province on Wednesday, and no significant weather is expected.  However, as the chart above shows, severe wind chill will be a problem for the people of the far north. It will be warmer in southwestern Manitoba, with highs between -6 and -8. Elsewhere in the province,  expect highs from -10 to -15.

Thursday

Alberta

Thursday will be a snowy day in Alberta, with significant accumulations in central Alberta and south of Highway 3. The map below shows expected accumulation in BC and Alberta from Wednesday evening to Thursday evening:

Double-digit accumulations can be expected from Crowsnest to Lethbridge, then southeast to Milk River. Significant snowfall is also expected from Carstairs west into the foothills. And to the north of Edmonton, a wide area of 5-7 cm of snow is expected.  A low-pressure system near Whitefish, Montana, is feeding the moisture into the system in southern Alberta. The northern snow is caused in part by upslope circulation around a high-pressure system in the Northwest Territories.

It will not be bitterly cold. Temperatures in southern Alberta will range from -1 to -4, and in northern regions, from -11 to -14. This forecast is for several days into the future, and there will undoubtedly be some changes. We will provide new information on our regular Thursday update.

Saskatchewan and Manitoba

Here is the snowfall chart for Thursday in Saskatchewan and Manitoba:

A low in northern Montana will push some snow into southwestern Saskatchewan. That same low will push an enormous inverted trough into Manitoba and generate snow throughout most of the province north of the Trans Canada Highway. The above chart shows accumulations by early evening. Thursday will be a reasonably mild March day in the two provinces, with southern regions reaching highs ranging from -2 to -8. In northern regions, most areas will reach afternoon highs near -15, a bit cooler further north.

Friday

Alberta

Snow continues in southern Alberta, with another 7 to 11 cm on top of what was expected Thursday. Again, due to the timing of this outlook, there is a lot of uncertainty, but the potential is certainly there for one of the more significant snow events southern Alberta has experienced this winter.   And the more snow that falls, the more likely it is to be useful,  with a greater chance of soaking into the ground rather than disappearing through evaporation.

If all the expected snow falls, it may not erase the long term drought, but it will be a game changer for planting season.  And, because it will be relatively warm, the snow will have high moisture content.  Highs in southern Alberta Friday will range from -2 ro -10, with highs in the -10 to -15 range in northern Alberta.  The wind will not be significant, so neither blowing snow nor high wind chill are anticipated.

Saskatchewan

Light snow and scattered flurries are expected Friday in central Saskatchewan, though it will be dry in the north and the south.   Where it snows, expect only about 1 to 4 cm.  The snow is falling on the southern periphery of a large Arctic high centered over northeastern Alberta.   This type of pattern usually brings light “dry” snow.  Snow is also expected near the US border, from the same system bringing another day of snow to southern Alberta.    In southern and central Saskatchewan, expect 3 to 5 cm of snow.   Saskatchewan’s temperature profile will be similar to that of Alberta, with highs in the south ranging from -2 to -10, and in the north, from -10 to -15.

Manitoba

It’s another cold day in Manitoba, with highs of -10 to -15 in southern and central regions, with highs below -20 in the north.   Arctic high pressure will keep the sky clear, though, there may be some light snow in the Interlake during the afternoon – on the south end of the high.   If that snowfall occurs, it will be very light, with no meaningful accumulation.

Saturday and Sunday

Plenty of snow is expected Saturday across the southern agricultural regions of the prairies, as a storm system crosses northern Montana from west to east. Heavy snow from that system could spread north into the Canadian prairies all the way across from the Rocky Mountains to Winnipeg on Saturday. It is too soon to be any more specific, but it’s not too soon to rethink any travel plans you have for the prairies on Saturday.

The storm, which could be quite powerful, will move rapidly. By Sunday, the prairie sky will clear again, and the work begins to clear the snow.  Again, uncertainty is high, and it would be prudent to check weather forecasts frequently through the week. We’ll post an update here at Rural Roots Canada with the latest information on Thursday.

LISTEN:  A quick discussion of meteorological spring on the Rural Roots Canada podcast.