Thursday:
Alberta
The chinook that caused temperatures to rise as high as they did in southern Alberta on Wednesday, backs off a bit, warming only the far southwestern corner of the province – Waterton Park and, maybe Cardston, where temperatures will climb above the melting point. Elsewhere along the foothills, temperatures could rise to -5, but everywhere west of Highway 22 will suffer cold weather, with highs between -10 and -20. This is a one day blast of cold air for southern Alberta, as chinook conditions will rebuild. No significant snowfall is expected in Alberta Thursday, but there may be a brisk wind in the afternoon, as those chinook conditions return to the south.
Saskatchewan
The low-pressure system expected to cause disruption Wednesday will move southeast on Thursday. The system left 10-20 cm of snow from Swift Current to Estevan. Expect snow in the early morning to be gone by noon, as the low picks up speed through North Dakota and Minnesota. The low will be pushed out by heavy, dense, arctic air. While it means the sky will clear, and there will be abundant sunshine by the afternoon, it will still be cold. Afternoon temperatures across Saskatchewan can be expected to hover around -15 to -20.
Manitoba
Brrrr. It’s another very cold day across Manitoba, with highs between -15 and -20, under the influence of a northerly circulation around the arctic high in Saskatchewan. Meantime, a low pressure system moving from Saskatchewan into southern Manitoba will produce significant snow, with at least 10 cm for the Red River Valley south of Winnipeg. The snow will likely be quite heavy in the early morning, disrupting the commute, taper off by noon, and then be gone by late afternoon.
Friday:
Alberta
An upper ridge builds right over Alberta, and this time it’s NOT arctic high pressure. The cold air will depart, and warmer conditions take over, with the upper flow shifting from the northwest to the southwest. The cold snap ends and temperatures will climb above the melting point in southern Alberta and along the foothills not only on Friday but for several days to come. Elsewhere in Alberta Friday, it will remain below the freezing point in eastern and northern regions. It won’t be snow-free everywhere. A weak disturbance will produce some light snow before sunrise Friday from the Peace region to Edmonton, and that band of snow will move rapidly eastward. The snow will be in Saskatchewan likely by early afternoon.
Saskatchewan
Some of Alberta’s warmer air could make the trip down the Trans Canada highway to Regina, where highs could reach -5 or so. To the north, where there is no influence from mild Pacific air, temperatures across central and northern regions will remain below -10. As in Alberta, where the warm air mass meets the cold air mass, a line of snow will likely develop from Lloydminster, southeast through Saskatoon, toward Balgonie and the US border.
Manitoba
All of Manitoba will be cold. All of Manitoba will be dry, until the late afternoon, when some snow sneaks into the southwestern corner of the province. The Arctic High remains in place, perhaps overstaying its welcome. Most of Manitoba will stay colder than -20, with highs in the -30s north of Thompson.
Saturday:
Alberta
It will be a rather uneventful day across most of Alberta, with warmer weather, and dry conditions. One exception, and it could be a big exception. There is a chance freezing rain could develop early in the morning in two separate areas: Grande Prairie and Red Deer. If this is the case, driving in these areas will be treacherous until the pavement dries out in the warmer weather to come later in the day. If there is freezing rain in these areas, it will happen very early, likely between 3:00 and 6:00 am. Most areas south of Edmonton will enjoy temperatures above the melting point in the afternoon, with double digit highs possible in southern Alberta south and west of Claresholm and Barons.
Saskatchewan
Mild air returns to parts of Saskatchewan, with some parts of the southwest seeing temperatures climb above zero. Higher elevations in the Cypress Hills could see mid single digit highs, due to the higher elevation tapping into the warmer air aloft. Highs elsewhere in southern Saskatchewan should reach the -5 to 0 range. North of Saskatoon, arctic air is still in place, with highs below -10. East of Regina and Saskatoon and north of Saskatoon, expect early morning snow, as a weak disturbance moves through during the morning. The snow should wrap up by the afternoon, as it moves into Manitoba.
Manitoba
A north-south band of snow will track across the province during the day. Early morning snow will fall across western Manitoba. By noon, in the north, the snow will continue to fall on the western side, but the southern portion of the snow band will have shifted all the way east to the eastern side of the Red River Valley and Lake Winnipeg. Snow in those regions will persist into Sunday morning. Behind the band of snow, there will be a warming trend, with afternoon temperatures in the -5 to -10 range across the southern half of Manitoba. To the north, the bracing cold remains, with highs near -20.
Sunday:
Alberta
Christmas week begins, and it looks rather uneventful, with very little change in the weather. An upper ridge of high pressure eliminates any chance of snow, warm air aloft is drawn in from the southwest, while at the surface, a downsloping westerly wind helps boost temperatures to the 5-10 degree range south of Calgary. Highs above the melting point are expected to stretch well to the north of Edmonton. No precipitation is expected in Alberta Sunday.
Saskatchewan
Like Alberta, no snowfall is expected Sunday in Saskatchewan. And, like Alberta, some areas will experience temperatures above the melting point. Looking at you, southwest Saskatchewan. Elsewhere, except for far northeastern regions, it will be mild, with temperatures generally in the -5 to -10 range, with some cooler pockets in lower lying areas.
Manitoba
Manitoba will also have a quiet weather day, but it won’t be quite as warm as the neighbours to the west. Through the interlake and into southern Manitoba, highs between -5 and -15 can be expected. The sub -20 weather continues north of the lakes, over the permafrost. Snow on the east side of Lake Winnipeg will taper off through the day. Elsewhere, it will be dry. A weak disturbance could produce ice pellets and freezing rain in northern North Dakota Sunday afternoon. It’s not expected to cross the border, but southwestern Manitobans should pay close attention to this on Sunday afternoon.
COMPARE TO: Prairie Weather This Week – Dec 16
