Prairie Weather (Rural Roots Canada) – Freezing rain…. and blowing snow may cause travel trouble on the prairies this weekend.
Friday:
Alberta
Very mild weather in the Pacific flow, and double digit high temperatures are expected along the foothills, east to Drumheller, and north to the Peace Region. Further east and north of that very warm zone, temperatures elsewhere in Alberta will climb above zero, with a west to southwesterly wind, which could be brisk near the higher terrain. No significant precipitation is expected anywhere in Alberta.
Saskatchewan
It’s in northern Saskatchewan where the mild pacific air collides with colder air, producing snow for the far northeastern corner of the province, and a band of freezing rain or mixed precipitation where the two air masses meet. The band of dangerous freezing precipitation will extend from about Meadow Lake southeast to Moosomin or Balgonie. There are likely to be travel issues, and weather warnings should be monitored closely. Dry, breezy, and safe weather will continue through the day in southern Saskatchewan.
Manitoba
High pressure in northern Manitoba will maintain dry conditions across the province in the morning. However, that high slips southeastward into Ontario, allowing moisture to arrive from northeastern Saskatchewan. For Manitoba, snow will fall from the interlake up to the northwestern corner of the province by afternoon. There is a chance of a mix of rain and snow north of Brandon. From the interlake south, temperatures will peak near zero, with much colder weather, as low as the -20s, expected in northern Manitoba.
Saturday:
Alberta
The weather pattern of warm air and westerly wind begins to break down. A Low pressure system will develop later in the day in southern Alberta. The low, in eastern Alberta south of Oyen, will become an Alberta clipper, moving rapidly eastward, spreading rain or freezing rain to the north, from Edmonton to the northern edge of Jasper National Park. By midnight, the precipitation will intensify as the centre of the clipper moves into Saskatchewan. Expect snow, rain, freezing rain through central Alberta in the evening, with potential disruptions to travel. Be aware of weather warnings. On the south side of the system, it will be warm, as temperatures could reach double digits south of Calgary.
Saskatchewan
The day begins with peaceful weather, but as an Alberta clipper moves into the province in the afternoon, things will turn nasty. Temperatures will climb above zero in the southern 2/3rds of the province. The incoming low pressure system and mild weather will lead to a significant band of freezing rain across south central Saskatchewan in the evening. These are dangerous travel conditions, and weather warnings are expected. The band of freezing rain should remain north of Regina, but any slight change in the weather pattern could bring it farther south. Up to date forecasts should be consulted all across southern Saskatchewan Saturday.
Manitoba
It will be another mild day across most of Manitoba, with temperatures rising above the melting point as far north as Leaf Rapids. Scattered snowflurries are possible in northern Manitoba. The mild air is coming in from the west, ahead of the Alberta clipper that brings rain, snow, and freezing rain to Saskatchewan. The inclement weather noses into western Manitoba late in the evening, with a mix of rain and snow developing north of Brandon.
Sunday:
Alberta
There won’t be much change in the temperature throughout the day. On the back side of Saturday’s clipper, there will be a strong northerly wind, and while temperatures will be steady near zero across the southern 2/3rds of the province, expect the wind to make it feel much colder. And throughout the day, snow will fall in central and eastern Alberta. The strong wind will likely creating blowing snow conditions that will impair travel in many areas, including the QE2 between Red Deer and Edmonton.
Saskatchewan
Snowstorm! Temperatures near zero in the south, cooler north of the Trans Canada Highway. Heavy snow is likely, as the Low centres itself between Regina and Saskatoon. This Low, an Alberta clipper, has a tight pressure gradient, which will generate a strong wind. Blowing and drifting snow are likely. Travel will be disrupted. The duration of the storm, though, will be short. Ablerta clippers move fast, and by the late afternoon, the most disruptive weather will move on to Manitoba.
Manitoba
It will be mild, especially south of the Trans Canada highway. It will also become stormy in the afternoon, as the Saskatchewan Low moves to Manitoba. By sunset, the Low will end up near Portage, To the north of the Low, expect heavy snow in the interlake. South of the low, snow will develop, but not until later in the day, perhaps evening. There will be a strong wind, and visibility will be reduced in blowing snow. Travel conditions in southern Manitoba will deteriorate as the day goes on.
COMPARE TO FORECAST EARLIER THIS WEEK: Prairie Weather This Week – Dec 2
