Prairie Weather (Rural Roots Canada) – It’s cold. Really cold. But not for long. Warmer weather is back on the weekend.
Cold air has settled across the Prairies, and this winter cold snap is expected to persist through mid-December. In southern Alberta there will be occasional relief as chinook winds develop from time to time; the next warmup arriving on Sunday. This shift follows a November that was significantly warmer than average across much of the region.
Over the next few days and into the weekend, snow is expected across all Prairie provinces, with the heaviest snowfall likely in southern Alberta and southwestern Saskatchewan. Farmers, ranchers, and rural communities should prepare for reduced visibility, slick roads, and localized drifting.
The map below highlights the projected snowfall totals through early Sunday evening:
Thursday
Alberta
Significant weather continues along a sharp frontal boundary, especially across southern Alberta. Freezing rain has already glazed highways from Medicine Hat to Pincher Creek, creating hazardous travel. Cold air funnels south through the province. Mid minus 30s expected tonight across northern and central Alberta, with wind chills near -40, Meanwhile in the Cypress Hills, heavy upslope snow continues. Travel will be slow with drifting and blowing snow. While the coldest overnight weather hits northern and central regions, temperatures in southern Alberta will likely bottom out in the -19 to -23 degree range.
Saskatchewan
An expanding Alberta Clipper spreads snow across southern Saskatchewan, especially in the southwest. Snowfall totals will range from 4 to 8 cm for most farm regions, but Cypress Hills may receive 15 to20 cm due to upslope enhancement. A marginal freezing rain risk persists for the Shaunavon–Assiniboia area. Check for possible warnings here. Expect slick grid roads and poor visibility, especially as winds strengthen later in the day. Overnight low temperatures will drop to the -20 to -25 degree range. From Saskatoon north, wind chills overnight will be in the -30s.
Manitoba
Lingering morning flurries gradually fade as an upper disturbance exits. However, roads may remain icy across central and western Manitoba due to blowing snow from previous days. In the late evening, an Alberta Clipper in southern Saskatchewan will move east, and spread snow into southern Manitoba, potentially creating transportation disruptions. A brisk wind will likely lead to blowing and drifting snow, as overnight temperatures drop to -15 to -20 across the south, and -20 to -25 in the north.
Friday
Alberta
Arctic high pressure will maintain well below average temperatures across Alberta, particularly in central and northern regions, where temperatures will remain in the mid -20s all day. The weather in the south will be more dynamic, as the upslope flow generated by the high will cause snow to fall in the southwestern foothills and, initially, across southern Alberta. As the high moves southeast, snow will expand northwest, and by early evening, snow will fall across Alberta south of the Yellowhead highway. Remaining icy surfaces in southern Alberta may worsen as temperatures fall. The snowy areas will be warmer than where the sky is clear. In southern and southwestern Alberta, highs will reach the minus teens, but to the north, despite sunshine, highs can be expected in the -23 to -28 range.
Saskatchewan
The Alberta Clipper pulls east, leaving gusty northwest winds. Blowing snow may produce intermittent whiteout conditions, particularly in the southwest and exposed farm fields. Another weak impulse may approach late Friday, setting up additional snow for southwestern Saskatchewan by overnight. Arctic air begins to build in behind the system. Overnight wind chills will reach the -40s in central Saskatchewan. The map below shows overnight lows Friday night into Saturday morning, WITHOUT the wind chill:
There is a significant risk of livestock stress as temperatures drop to the mid minus 30s in central Saskatchewan.
Manitoba
Southern Manitoba stays under a mainly clear sky Friday, with clouds more dominant in the north. As the map above shows, central Manitoba will be considerably warmer Friday night, with lows above -20. Away from the clouds, under the clear sky, highs Friday afternoon will range from -17 to -23, falling into the low -20s overnight. Most of the province won’t see any significant weather, but snow is possible between Lake Winnipeg and the Ontario boundary.
Saturday
Alberta
A warming trend begins for southwestern Alberta, but the arctic freeze continues elsewhere. Northern Alberta remains very cold, with an extreme wind chill risk in the early morning. In the afternoon, highs in the north will remain in the -20s, whereas in the south, temperatures will climb to the -8 to -12 degree range. That’s still below average, but it’s the beginning of a trend that will see temperatures climb above the melting point as soon as Sunday. With the warm air moving into the south, the precipitation ends. In the north, snow continues as a low pressure system develops, pulling in moisture from British Columbia. North of Edmonton, where the milder air of the south meets the cold and snowy weather of the north, there is a possibility of freezing rain Saturday evening. Watch for warnings in the area before making plans to head out after sunset.
Saskatchewan
Southwestern Saskatchewan sees the next disturbance approach in the morning, bringing light snow and periods of blowing snow along ridgelines. The snow won’t last long, and accumulations will be minor. By midday, arctic high pressure will clear the sky. Central Saskatchewan turns sharply colder as the arctic air spills south. By early evening, temperatures in many east central locations will have dropped to the -30s. Wind chills across most of the province may reach -40 or colder overnight into Sunday.
Manitoba
It will be a bitterly cold day across western and central Manitoba as the Arctic ridge strengthens. The ridge will provide sunshine, and there will be no significant precipitation on Saturday. However, farmers and truckers should prepare for the possibility of fuel gelling. There will be stress on livestock, which may demand extra feed. With the arrival of the arctic air, temperatures may fall during the day from the minus teens to the minus 20s.
Sunday
Alberta
Northern Alberta will remain cold but stable under high pressure; very light wind. Elsewhere, it will begin to warm up. In Central Alberta, expect highs from -10 to -12, and in the south, chinook wind will develop, and temperatures will climb above the melting point, rising to the 4 to 6 degree range anywhere south of Red Deer. Prepare for slushy roads. North of Edmonton, in the colder air mass, light snow is expected throughout the day.
Saskatchewan
Milder weather returns to Saskatchewan, with chinook conditions in the southwestern part of the province taking temperatures above zero, but only slightly. Elsewhere in southern and central Saskatchewan, highs will be in the -7 to -15 degree range. That’s still below average, but it does represent significant warming. Only in the far north will temperatures remain below -20. That’s also where snow is expected to cross the province from west to east through the day. Agricultural regions will miss out on the snow.
Manitoba
A quiet cold day. Highs will only warm to the -15 to -20 degree range across the province, but early in the day, wind chills in western Manitoba may dip below -40, creating hazardous conditions for ranchers checking herds or managing water lines. Morning cold in eastern Manitoba will be well below average, but less extreme. Expect snow in the northern half of the province. The south will stay dry.
