Prairie Weather (Rural Roots Canada)  – Another blast of wintry weather, as meteorological winter comes to an end

Stormy weather returns to the prairies, with snow, blowing snow, reduced visibility, snow squalls, and arctic air.  A dynamic pattern is setting up across the Prairies. A developing low over northern Alberta will track east through Friday, followed by a surge of Arctic high pressure for Saturday.

Thursday

Alberta

A winter storm develops across northern and central Alberta. In the Edmonton region, mainly cloudy skies give way to rain showers near noon, changing to flurries in the afternoon with about 2 cm of snow. North winds increase to 40 km/h, gusting 60. There is also the risk of a frontal snow squall late in the day, capable of very heavy bursts of snow and gusts of 60 -80 km/h, potentially producing brief whiteout conditions during the evening commute.

Further north, accumulating snow spreads in, while southern Alberta remains milder with highs from 5 to 10 degrees.  However, strong west winds develop, gusting 80 to 90 km/h, and up to 110 km/h in the extreme southwest.

By early Friday, the heaviest snow accumulations will be in the Calgary area, with 11 to 13 cm expected.

Saskatchewan

A developing and strengthening low pressure system crosses central Saskatchewan Thursday, bringing significant snow and strong wind to northern regions.  Snow and blowing snow can be expected, along with reduced visibilities.   With mild air in the southern part of the province, it may be warm enough in central regions for rain in the afternoon, changing to snow in the evening as the low passes by, dragging a cold front behind it.   The low is quite wound up, and weather watches and warnings should be monitored at ECCC.  It will be warm in southern Saskatchewan, with some areas even reaching double digit highs Thursday afternoon, before the cold front arrives in the evening and overnight.

Manitoba

Early morning snow in southeastern Manitoba will quickly move eastward into Ontario.   After a few hours of dry weather across the province, another band of snow will move into northwestern portions of the province.   Agricultural regions will again miss out on the moisture.   The sky will remain mainly cloudy.   The good news is Manitoba will finally get a break from the bitter cold.  A mild westerly wind will push temperatures in southwestern Manitoba above the melting point.   Places such as Brandon, Dauphin, and Virden should see highs from 0 to 5.   From Portage la Prairie east, expect highs between -5 and -10.    In northern Manitoba, away from agricultural regions, highs will range from -10 to -20.

Friday

This is Environment Canada’s significant weather chart for the prairies on Friday.

Courtesy: ECCC

Alberta

As the low tracks into Manitoba, and a cold front stretches across the southern prairies, backed up by a flow of arctic air, wintry weather returns to Alberta.   As the map above shows, 10-15 cm of snow could fall in southern regions (D), with even more in the foothills and mountains (C).   Strong wind  will cause blowing snow and reduced visibilities.   Locally, some accumulations could exceed 20 cm.   The snow is not expected to reach the southwestern corner of the province until later at night.    South of highway 3, high temperatures will reach above the melting point.   In central Alberta, expect highs between -5 and -10.   And, in north central and northern regions, highs will be near -15.

Saskatchewan

Snow spreads into central and southern Saskatchewan. Gusts up to 80 km/h may create blizzard-like conditions early in the day, especially from Meadow Lake through Saskatoon toward Regina and Estevan. Whiteouts are possible in exposed farmland. Livestock producers should ensure access to wind protection and monitor water systems for freezing.   In southern and central Saskatchewan, highs will range between -9 and -15.   Conditions will settle down in the afternoon as the Low moves through southern Manitoba and into Ontario.

Manitoba

Southern and central Manitoba will be a snowy and windy mess on Friday, and weather warnings should be monitored.   A strong, fast moving Low will move from the Interlake into northwestern Ontario during the day, producing plenty of snow in the morning.   It will be blown about by strong wind until the afternoon, when, with the Low further away, the weather settles down.   Through the day, temperatures in central and southern Manitoba will remain in the -12 to -15 range,  with wind chills between -25 and -29.    It will be an uncomfortably cold, windy, snowy day.

Saturday

Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta

All three provinces clear out Saturday under the influence of a massive high pressure system.   The high will be centred over Manitoba, but will  provide mainly sunny conditions all across the prairies.  The snow will be out of the area, and the wind will die down.   However it is an arctic high pressure system, and as the map below shows, the prairies will be unseasonably cold.   The map shows peak temperatures in the late afternoon:

Sunday

Alberta

As the prairie high moves off to the southeast, unsettled weather returns to northern Alberta.  A low pressure system will develop in the northwestern part of the province, moving toward Edmonton as the day progresses.  Snow will fall to the north of the low, mainly in Alberta’s northern forests.    To the south of the low, there will be a southwesterly wind, bringing warmer, dry air into central and southern Alberta.   Temperatures south of Highway 3 and along the foothills in western Alberta will rise above zero as chinook wind develops.   East of Highway 2, it will be cooler, with highs between -4 and -10.   And in the far north, arctic air remains, with highs below -20.

Saskatchewan

On Sunday, the Yellowhead highway will serve as the dividing line between warm and cold air.    South of the highway, temperatures will peak near -5, but only reach the -10 to -15 range to the north.   Snow will fall in the northern forests ahead of an Alberta low which will move into the province on Monday, bringing even more snow to northern regions.   Agricultural areas in the south will be dry, and, as mentioned, warmer.

Manitoba

Arctic air remains in place in Manitoba, with temperatures remaining near -20 in most areas.   The exception is Westman, where highs will range from -12 to -16.    A weak disturbance will produce a band of snow for southern Manitoba, moving west to east during the day.   The snow will expand northward to the Interlake in the afternoon.   The snow will be light, with accumulations of only 1-2 cm.

COMPARE:   Prairie Weather this week – Feb 16