Prairie Weather (Rural Roots Canada) – Sunnier, warmer weather returns after a major snow event across the southern prairies.

Thursday

Peace Region

Snow develops in the afternoon and evening as a weakening low pressure system tracks across the Peace Region from west to east.   Accumulations are much lighter than points south, but snow flurries will persist into Friday morning.   Prior to the flurries, high temperatures in the Peace region will range from 4 to 8 degrees, but will drop to the -5 to -8 degree range overnight. Cold and snow-covered conditions continue to limit feeding access and delay any early spring fieldwork.

Alberta

Heavy snow is ongoing across southern Alberta and will end west-to-east through Thursday. A report of 30–35 cm near Gleichen (with drifts of 60–70 cm near the Trans-Canada) illustrates the storm’s intensity. An additional 5–15 cm is expected before the event closes, with the Hwy 9 corridor between Calgary and Coronation most likely to reach 40 cm total. Blowing and drifting snow, with winds of 30 to 60 km/h, will continue to reduce visibility and create difficult travel and livestock exposure conditions. Strong wind and blowing snow will continue east of Highway 2 overnight. Central Alberta sees lighter snow as a separate system tracks east. Fog patches may develop in southern areas tonight as winds ease.

Saskatchewan

The low tracking from central AB into south-central SK will produce a swath of 10–25 cm of snow, with the heaviest bands north and east of the storm track through Thursday. Most of the southern half of Saskatchewan will experience snow, with the heaviest amounts between Highway 1 and the Yellowhead.  Along and just north of the Trans-Canada, a mix of heavy wet snow and freezing rain is expected; as cold air encroaches, accumulations will intensify through the afternoon. The map below shows snowfall totals expected by 6:00 am Friday:

Manitoba

As shown on the map above, south central Manitoba will experience snow Thursday, though in lighter amounts than Saskatchewan and Alberta. Heavier snow can be expected in Manitoba on Friday. Any snow from here on in will exacerbate the flood situation, and the province is preparing.  There is an elevated flood risk in the Icelandic River and Fisher River basins, and in the Parkland region. Details on the Manitoba flood risk can be found here:   Manitoba Flood Risk

With the exception of the Whiteshell/Sandilands area, where temperatures will climb above zero, temperatures in Manitoba will range from -4 to -7 through the day.

Friday

Peace Region

The weather in the Peace will be rather quiet Friday, with a mix of sun and cloud, and a light westerly wind. No significant precipitation is expected, and it will be rather warm, with highs approaching 10 degrees. The freeze-thaw cycle will continue, with overnight lows dropping back below the freezing mark. This is very beneficial, preventing quick evaporation of what moisture there is on the ground.

Alberta

Snow ends across most regions, with the sky clearing out, as a surface high develops. The wind will be light and variable, though it will be colder than average. with highs across the province in the 2 to 6 degree range. Patchy fog may develop in southern areas overnight in the wake of the storm.  In areas with deep snowpack, temperatures will struggle, and cool weather will continue to stress calving operations.

Saskatchewan

The day begins with lingering light snow in southern and south ce4ntral Saskatchewan.  As the snow pulls off to the east, the sky will clear out behind it.  The wind will be from the northwest, and will continue to bring in colder than average weather.   Even after the snow is gone, and the sky clears, highs across agricultural regions of Saskatchewan will remain below zero, somewhere between -2 and -5.   And, with the brisk wind, wind chill values will be close to -10.

Manitoba

The most active weather shifts into southern Manitoba early in the day. Periods of snow and freezing rain are likely, especially in the Red River Valley. Snowfall totals remain modest, but icing could be locally significant.  Ice and wet conditions create hazardous footing and transportation issues. It will be cold.  All across Manitoba, afternoon temperatures will range from -4 to -9. The wind will be quite strong, particularly in the Interlake and southwestern Manitoba, producing wind chills ranging from -10 to -15. This is April, right?

Saturday

Peace Region and Alberta

High pressure provides sunshine and quiet weather on Saturday for the Peace Region and the rest of Alberta. The wind will be light, and there will be a good opportunity in all areas to get some fieldwork or early seeding done. High temperatures will vary widely across the province.   The Peace Region and most of central and southern Alberta can expect double digit highs, and with the sunshine, field conditions will be affected.   In those areas with snow cover, the fields will become wet and squishy. On the other hand, the sunshine will help dry things out in central and southern regions. Most areas will reach 11 to 15 degrees, except for the Highway 9 corridor, where highs will remain in the single digits.

Saskatchewan

After a few light flurries in the morning, the sky begins to clear. However, a northwesterly wind circulating around an area of high pressure to the north, will draw in cold air. And, even in the sunshine, temperatures in central and eastern Saskatchewan will remain below zero during the day. West of Saskatoon, and in southwestern Saskatchewan, it will be a bit warmer, with highs in the low to mid single digits.

Manitoba

It’s another cold day for Manitoba, with subzero temperatures across the province. In the south, expect highs ranging from -4 to -7.  To the far north, it will only warm to the -12 to -14 degree range. The eastern side of the province will continue to see snow flurries, left by the powerful system that went through on Friday. The cold weather is a blessing in disguise, perhaps. It will prevent any kind of rapid melt that would lead to flooding. At least for the time being.

Sunday

Peace Region, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba

With the exception of the boreal forest in northern Alberta,  all three provinces will be mainly sunny. The clear sky is the product of a high pressure system centered in southern Manitoba. In northern Alberta, rain is expected from a Low near Yellowknife. However, despite sunshine across all three provinces, afternoon highs will be quite uneven.   As the map below shows, there is a good chance for highs near 20 in southern Alberta, while much of Manitoba will stay below freeing:

The broader pattern: cold Arctic air anchored overhead, several storm systems embedded in the flow. There is little sign this will change through at least the end of April.

LISTEN: RRC Podcast – S2E12 – Weather, Drought, a Super El Niño, and the world of RTVs