Prairie Weather (Rural Roots Canada) – You’d have to have a cold heart to put out a Valentine’s weekend forecast like this….
Friday
Alberta
After yet another dry, cold day, southern Alberta is likely getting snow tonight, thanks to a system forming over the US Pacific Northwest. Snowfall totals will be light and variable, with most of it falling south of the Trans Canada highway. In that area, totals of 5cm will be widespread, with some isolated areas picking up as much as 10 cm. The map below shows expected snowfall, expressed in mm of water. In other words, how much water there would be if the snow melted.
As the map shows, the heavier snowfall will happen in the mountains of Montana and Idaho. The day stays cold, with temperatures across Alberta peaking near -20.
Saskatchewan
As the map above shows, snow will fall in southern Saskatchewan as well, with the moisture coming from an upper level low over the northern United States. The snow begins at midday, carrying on through the night and into Saturday morning. 2 to 5 cm of snow is expected, as the very cold air won’t allow for heavier precipitation. Expect afternoon temperatures to get stuck in the -20 to -25 degree range.
Manitoba
It’s also a cold-hearted forecast for Valentine’s day in Manitoba, as temperatures will stick in the mid to low -20s across the province. It could become slightly warmer south of the lakes, with highs ranging from -15 to -20. As the map above shows, there won’t be any significant precipitation over agricultural areas, but there could be some very light snow in the far north, late in the day.
Saturday
Alberta
No relief yet from the bone-chilling cold. Most of Alberta will see afternoon temperatures Saturday between -20 and -25. However, it could be 5 to 10 degrees warmer in the south. Places like Calgary, and Lethbridge will see temperatures rising to the mid teens. And right up against the British Colombia boundary, it may end up slightly warmer. Light snow will fall over the southern half of Alberta, likely similar to what we saw on Thursday, with very light, fine, snow, and little accumulation.
Saskatchewan
The upper level low that produced snow in southern Saskatchewan Friday will continue to do so on Saturday, with the possibility of 5 cm falling south of Chamberlain. Heavier amounts, to to 10 cm can be expected south of the Trans Canada Highway, especially near Weyburn, Assiniboia, and Gravelbourg.
The bigger story for Saskatchewan is the cold weather, with temperatures in the mid minus 20s in the afternoon, with wind chills in the -30s. And this is at the warmest time of day! Early in the morning, temperatures WITHOUT accounting for wind chill will get as low as -35 or below across central Saskatchewan, where wind chills will come in around -45. Below is the wind chill forecast map for early Saturday morning:
Manitoba
A few flakes of snow are possible in southwestern Manitoba, but there won’t be any significant accumulation. Northern Manitoba will continue to see light snowfall as well, again with nothing much left on the ground. Like Saskatchewan, the main story is a continuation of the bitterly cold weather. Take a look at the wind chill map above. It’s valid at 7:00 am Saturday morning central time. Bitter wind chills in the -30s and -40s can be expected. Without wind chill, it will not only be cold in the morning, but even colder in the afternoon. Temperatures will range from around -20 in the morning to -25 in the afternoon. This is known as a reverse temperature trend.
Sunday
Alberta
It’s both Valentine’s day weekend, and Family Day weekend in Alberta, and outdoor activities will remain muted with continuing bitterly cold weather. Temperatures across Alberta on Sunday will remain in the mid minus 20s, with somewhat warmer weather in the south west from Lethbridge west to the BC boundary and south to the US border. There, temperatures could rise to the mid minus teens….still colder than average. In that area of warmer air, expect some light snow on Sunday. Elsewhere across Alberta, no snow. None. Most of the province will be sunny and very cold.
Saskatchewan and Manitoba
Sunday will be sunny and cold across most of northern Sasktachewan, while southern Saskatchewan and all of Manitoba will remain under cloud cover. Cold weather continues, with highs of only -25 to -30 expected across both provinces. Afternoon wind chills range from -34 to -38. Very light snow can’t be ruled out during the day on Sunday, and while it may be persistent, it will be so light as to create no significant accumulation.
End to the Cold Spell?
There are rumors out there about the end of the cold spell at the end of next week. So, we’ll leave you with some hope. It comes in the form of a temperature map valid in the afternoon of Saturday, February 22. If this holds true, it will be significantly warmer across the prairies, but especially in Alberta, where temperatures could climb well above the melting point:
COMPARE: Prairie Weather This Week – Feb 3
