Prairie Weather (Rural Roots Canada) – Blizzard! Nasty weather, especially for Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Alberta’s cool, but gets away almost unscathed. Almost.
This map tells the story very well. Snowfall accumulations expected up to midnight Sunday night. Though the map is colourful, it ain’t pretty!
The moisture may be beneficial, but the storms associated with the snow will be dangerous.
Day by day:
Thursday
Peace Region
The Peace Region sits on the fringes of this storm system, with the most significant impacts concentrated further east. Expect unsettled conditions Thursday, with some snow possible, particularly in areas south of Grande Prairie. Wind will be an ongoing concern as the northwesterly gradient intensifies with this system. Strong gusts are possible through the day, particularly over open terrain.
Field work is not a realistic option Thursday. Ground that thawed earlier this week will refreeze under the incoming cold air. Morning 4-inch soil temperatures across the Prairies as of April 22 were all below 10 degrees, with northern areas sitting below 5 degrees.
Alberta
A storm sitting near the Saskatchewan – Manitoba boundary is generating a powerful northwesterly wind flow across Alberta. Wind gusts of 60 to 90 km/h and heavy wet snow are possible Thursday, with whiteout conditions likely in some areas. In the Cypress Hills region, wind gusts could reach 90 to 100 km/h in exposed terrain. Travel will be challenging during the most intense periods.
Upslope flow along the Rockies will drive additional snowfall in southwestern Alberta, with up to 15 cm possible over higher terrain before the snow ends. Central and eastern Alberta should watch for localized convective flurries Thursday night, which could produce brief but rapid accumulations of a few centimetres per hour if they become organized.
Do not rely on roads clearing quickly. Atmospheric blocking will slow the storm, causing it to retrograde westward into Alberta by late Thursday, with snow squalls potentially developing near Edmonton and Cold Lake. Quick 5 to 15 cm accumulations from those squalls are possible, and their exact location is hard to pin down. If you are planning any movement of livestock or equipment, Thursday is not the day to do it across central or eastern Alberta.
Last spring, many Alberta producers dealt with drought through June. Having moisture in the ground heading into warmer months is critical for both crop growth and livestock operations, even if the timing of a late-April snowstorm is less than ideal.
Saskatchewan
Southern Saskatchewan takes a significant hit Thursday. Rainfall in southern Saskatchewan is transitioning to heavy wet snow, with temperatures dropping by nearly 20 degrees as cold air wraps around the system. Regions around Regina, Saskatoon, Prince Albert, Moose Jaw, Kindersley, and Assiniboia can expect 5 to 15 cm of quickly accumulating snow through the day.
Wind gusts of 60 to 90 km/h will reduce visibility and contribute to whiteout conditions, making travel dangerous on major highways. Do not assume conditions are passable based on what you see locally. Conditions can shift within a few kilometres.
In central Saskatchewan, expect 15 to 20 cm of snowfall from Prince Albert south toward Outlook. Northern Saskatchewan is already dealing with heavy snow, with 15 to 20 cm observed overnight across a corridor from Buffalo Narrows east through Island Falls. Snowfall there continues into Friday, and the Hudson Bay area is watching for the possibility of freezing rain depending on exactly where the frontal zone sets up. Cumberland House is most likely in that freezing rain zone.
South of the Yellowhead, high temperatures will climb to a few degrees above zero. North of the Yellowhead – a few degrees below zero.
Manitoba
Southern Manitoba is the most complex and dangerous zone for agricultural producers Thursday. The storm is centered near the Saskatchewan/Manitoba border, placing southeastern Manitoba in the warm sector ahead of the cold front. A system moving into southern Manitoba may produce thunderstorms with heavy rainfall, with risks including large hail and strong winds. Surface temperatures in the southeast are forecast to reach the low 20s, with dewpoints in the low teens, supporting the development of thunderstorms, especially between Winnipeg and Kenora, Ontario. Large hail and strong wind are the primary threats.
Avoid being in the field Thursday afternoon in the Red River Valley and southeast Manitoba.
Further north, from Swan River up to Grand Rapids and toward Berens River, 15 to 25 mm of rainfall is expected throughout the day and overnight, falling on still-frozen ground and raising the risk of ponding. Watch for water moving across fields and roads in that region.
Northern Manitoba is in blizzard conditions Thursday, with storm totals of 30 to 50 cm expected from Flin Flon north to Lynn Lake, Brochet, and Wollaston Lake, extending east to Thompson. Significant ice accumulation from freezing rain is forecast along a line from The Pas east through Norway House to Island Lake, with 5 to 10 mm accumulations expected. Do not travel in northern Manitoba Thursday.
Friday
Peace Region
Conditions ease slightly Friday, but cold air behind the system will keep temperatures suppressed, with afternoon highs likely near zero or below. There will be a break in precipitation, with sunshine and daytime highs in the 4 to 8 degree range.
Alberta
By Friday morning, snow bands from the retrogressing eastern prairie storm are expected to intensify and spread further into Alberta, with snowfall totals from squalls potentially reaching 5 to 15 cm in localized areas. Edmonton, Cold Lake, and surrounding areas are in the primary zone of concern. Conditions will change quickly. Drive with caution and be prepared to pull over. The map below shows how the storm will progress through Sunday night:
Northeastern Alberta, including the Fort McMurray area, is catching the heavier snow from this system. Northeastern Saskatchewan and northwestern Alberta communities could receive up to 40 cm of snow during this late April storm. Snow continues into the weekend in these areas, though as you can see from the animated map, additional accumulations beyond Friday will be relatively minor.
Temperatures remain well below seasonal averages Friday and into the weekend. Soil that thawed earlier this week will likely refreeze where significant snow cover has accumulated. Plan for continued delays to fieldwork preparation in affected areas.
Saskatchewan
Northern Saskatchewan will continue to experience heavy snowfall Friday, with accumulations of 30 to 50 cm expected by the time conditions begin to ease on Saturday. The hardest hit area runs from La Ronge north through Collins Bay, where 30 to 50 cm is expected, with locally higher totals possible given how quickly snow accumulated overnight Wednesday into Thursday.
Strong winds in northeastern Saskatchewan will combine with heavy snowfall to produce near-zero visibility in open areas. Tree cover will limit some blowing snow, but do not count on it. Plan for complete travel disruption in the north through Friday. Check Highway Hotline before any road travel.
The system retrogrades westward and begins weakening Friday, but the process is gradual. Central Saskatchewan fields that received heavy wet snow will need several days of dry, mild weather before equipment can go in. Once they do dry out, subsoil moisture reserves should be considerably improved heading into the seeding window.
Manitoba
Serious winter conditions persist Friday in northern Manitoba. The low-pressure system lingers over the region, with flurries and accumulating snow continuing through much of northern Manitoba. Northern Saskatchewan and Manitoba will continue to experience heavy snowfall Friday, with 30 to 50 cm expected by the time conditions ease on Saturday.
Southern Manitoba sees a shift Friday. The thunderstorm threat moves into northwestern Ontario, and conditions behind the cold front turn colder. Road conditions on major highways in southern Manitoba should begin to improve Friday afternoon, though travel in the north remains dangerous. In the agricultural south, high temperatures will climb to the 7-10 degree range.
Producers in southern Manitoba who received heavy rainfall Thursday may be dealing with saturated soils by Friday. Combined with the cold air pushing in behind the front, field conditions will be poor for the near term. However, the moisture will be beneficial for the season ahead.
Saturday
Peace Region
Saturday brings a gradual return to quieter conditions across the Peace Region, though temperatures will remain below seasonal norms. Expect partly cloudy skies with the chance of isolated flurries, particularly through the morning hours. Winds ease compared to Thursday and Friday, which is welcome after two days of strong gusts across open country. Highs will again be in the 4-8 degree range. Yes, much cooler than elsewhere in BC, but much warmer than most of the rest of Alberta.
The focus Saturday is recovery and assessment. Confirm water access for livestock, as freeze-thaw cycles following this storm can plug lines and troughs quickly.
Alberta
Snow will continue into the weekend across northeastern Alberta, though accumulations will be relatively minimal beyond what has already fallen. For central and southern parts of the province, Saturday should be largely snow-free, though skies remain cloudy and temperatures stay cold. Daytime highs near or just below zero are likely across most of the province.
Roads will continue to improve Saturday, but watch for icy patches and drifted sections on secondary and gravel roads. Producers moving equipment or livestock should confirm road conditions before heading out. The 4-inch soil temperature, already below 10 degrees province-wide going into this event, will not recover quickly under these conditions. Seeding timelines in the most affected areas are being pushed further into May.
Saskatchewan
Conditions improve across southern Saskatchewan Saturday as the system weakens and gradually lifts. In the north, do not expect travel to normalize until Sunday at the earliest.
For producers across central and southern Saskatchewan, Saturday is a day to take stock of what the storm delivered. Snowpack that accumulated this week will add meaningful moisture to the soil profile as it melts over the coming days. Fields that were dry heading into this event will be in considerably better shape. The concern now shifts to timing: cold temperatures over the weekend will slow snowmelt and delay any fieldwork. Watch the forecast closely heading into next week for the first realistic window to get out.
Manitoba
Below-seasonal temperatures follow in the wake of the system into next week across Manitoba. Northern Manitoba remains unsettled Saturday, with flurries and periods of snow still possible, particularly east of The Pas. Winter weather conditions gradually diminish through the day, but roads in the north will remain treacherous through at least Saturday afternoon.
Southern Manitoba gets the clearest day of the period on Saturday, with improving skies and lighter winds. Temperatures will climb above the melting point, though only to the 3 to 9 degree range. The Red River Valley and surrounding areas that dealt with thunderstorms and heavy rain Thursday will need to assess field conditions. Ponding is likely in low areas. Allow fields to drain naturally before considering any traffic on them.
Sunday
Peace Region
Sunday shapes up as the calmest day of the outlook period across the Peace Region. Skies gradually clear through the day, and while temperatures remain cool, ranging from 1 to 5 degrees, they should start trending toward more seasonal values. Light winds and improving conditions make Sunday a reasonable day to get outside and take stock.
If you have not already walked your fields, do it Sunday. The fields could be quite muddy. Look for frost heaving around fence posts and gates, ice sheeting over low spots, and any drainage issues that need attention before the next weather system arrives.
Alberta
Sunday should be the best day of the stretch for most of Alberta, with clearing skies and lighter winds. Temperatures will remain on the cool side, ranging from +4 to -4 for daytime highs across the province. but the trend is upward. Northeastern Alberta, which took the heaviest snow, will still be working through the cleanup process, and secondary roads in that area may remain difficult.
For producers watching the seeding calendar, Sunday is a good day to reassess your timeline. Fields that were worked before this system arrived and then received significant snow will need time to settle and drain. Soil temperatures need to recover before meaningful germination can occur.
Saskatchewan
The influence from the storm of the past few days fades across most of Saskatchewan by Sunday. Southern and central areas should see improving conditions, with light winds and some sunshine helping to melt the snow. It will remain cool, with highs across the province ranging from -2 in the north to only +2 in the south. In the north, residual flurries and cold temperatures will persist, but the worst is over.
Sunday is the day to start planning your re-entry to the field. Talk to your agronomist if you have concerns about seed-bed conditions following a wet, heavy snow event on variable soils.
Manitoba
Sunday brings gradual improvement across Manitoba, and double digit highs for the south. Northern parts of the province are still winding down from blizzard conditions. Roads in northern Manitoba should begin reopening through the day as crews clear the accumulated snow, but check Manitoba 511 before heading anywhere remote.
Southern Manitoba producers get a decent day Sunday to assess their situation. Fields that took heavy rain Thursday followed by cold temperatures will be slow to dry. The Red River Valley in particular tends to hold water after significant precipitation events, and with cold air still in place, evaporation rates will be low. Do not be surprised if some of your low areas are still under water heading into early next week.
The precipitation from this entire event, though disruptive, delivers useful moisture across a region heading into both fire season and the 2026 growing season. Soil profiles that were running dry are now considerably recharged.
COMPARE: Prairie Weather This Week – April 20
