Snow Totals

There has been at least some snow this week across the prairie, with most, as expected, falling in the area near the Yellowhead highway.   Most of us, though, have had to bring out the plows and shovels over the past few days.   While the snow totals aren’t going to make much of an impact to those areas with soil moisture deficits, any little bit helps.    The following tables show new snow totals from Sunday Feb 2 to the morning of Thursday, Feb 6.  The snow measurements were reported by CoCoRahs volunteer observers:

Manitoba Snow Totals:

Saskatchewan Snow Totals:

Alberta Snow Totals:

Thursday

Alberta

As high pressure builds over Banff National Park, the sky in southern Alberta is mainly sunny, and the wind lightens.   No snow is expected for southern Alberta, but there will be scattered snow showers from Edmonton to the province’s northern boundary.   We may break out of the bitter cold east of the foothills in the afternoon,  with temperatures as high as -5 possible from Edmonton down the highway 2 corridor to Carway.    Elsewhere, the warming trend continues, but across most of Alberta, highs will only get to -10 to -15.

Saskatchewan

The cold weather continues in southern Saskatchewan, with morning lows between -25 and -30, and afternoon highs near -15..    Milder Pacific air deflecting around an arctic ridge to the west, will land in northern Saskatchewan, where afternoon highs could reach -10.   There is some moisture in that milder Pacific air, so light snow can be expected through the day in northern Saskatchewan, as the south stays dry. In the south, the big hazard is wind.   The strong wind is causing blowing snow.   This Thursday afternoon image is from the Trans Canada Highway near Wapella:

Manitoba

Snow is expected in the northern Interlake through the day, as well as east of Lake Winnipeg to the Ontario boundary.   Elsewhere, and over the agricultural south, expect a partly cloudy day, and cold weather.  Highs across the south will range from -10 in the west to -20 near the Whiteshell.  Highs of -10 to -15  can be expected in the north, though it will be much colder along the Hudson Bay coast.   Like Saskatchewan, wind is causing minor blowing snow issues on southern Manitoba highways.   This Thursday afternoon image shows Highway 16 near Minnedosa:

Friday

Alberta

The morning begins cold.  We’re not out of the Arctic air yet.   Temperatures near sunrise will be near -20 or colder, rising in the afternoon to a range of -10 to -15 in most parts of the province.   Three will be pockets of colder air along the Yellowhead from Edmonton into Saskatchewan.

High pressure will keep the Alberta sky clear and blue during the day, though some clouds can be expected between Cardston and Medicine Hat.   If there is any precipitation out of this, it will be in the form of light snow, right along the US border.   It’s unlikely the snow would extend any further north than Milk River.

Saskatchewan

Morning lows around -25….afternoon highs from -15 to -20.   Cold weather continues for another day across Saskatchewan.   The Arctic high that has kept the province so cold all week over southern Saskatchewan, and continues to give the gift of very cold air.   It also keeps the sky mainly clear, eliminating any chance of precipitation in Saskatchewan.

Manitoba

There won’t be much weather drama in Manitoba, as no significant precipitation is expected.   but there is also no relief from the cold, with temperatures across the province remaining near -20 through the day.  Parts of central Manitoba, and a small area south and west of Brandon could warm up a bit further to -10 at best.

Saturday

Alberta

A weak lee Low develops near Pincher Creek on Saturday, and it may be just enough to draw some warmer air in from the west.   Alberta will enjoy a rather warm day.  West of highway 2, expect afternoon temperatures in the 0 to -5 range.  East of highway 2, it will be colder, with highs remaining somewhere between -15 and -20, especially east of Drumheller.   Most of the province remains in an area of high pressure, so there will be plenty of sunshine in most areas, though light snow is expected in the afternoon in northern regions.

Saskatchewan

Bright sunshine can be expected across the province all day long, and it will be a snow-free day.  It remains cold, though, with highs of -10 south of the Trans Canada Highway.  To the north, it will be colder, with temperatures peaking between -15 and -20.    The cold weather is due to high pressure, which will also keep Saskatchewan mainly sunny, with no significant precipitation.

Manitoba

The weather remains cold, and the sky remains mainly sunny.   High temperatures will range from -10 to -20, with some clouds in central Manitoba.  No precipitation is expected.  Just sunny and cold.

Sunday

Alberta

Seems its just one Arctic high after another.   On Sunday, arctic high pressure forms along the Yukon/NWT border, and the circulation around it will produce an upslope flow along the southern Alberta foothills.   That could mean light snow for the foothills, with the moisture provided by a weak low in Montana.   This will bear watching.   Any change in the location or intensity of the Low could make a big difference as to how much snow falls in southwestern Alberta.    Afternoon highs will again range from -10 to -20 across the province.

Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan’s cold yet again on Sunday, with afternoon temperatures ranging from -15 to -25.  While the south will stay mainly sunny,  light snow can be expected in central Saskatchewan,  north of Watrous, and southeast from there to Neepawa, Manitoba.

Manitoba

If you’re looking for the day the cold weather ends, this ain’t it.   Afternoon temperatures across Manitoba will remain below -15.   Light snow will arrive in west central Manitoba in the midday, and expand to the interlake in the afternoon.   It should stay dry from the Trans Canada Highway south.

COMPARE: Prairie Weather This Week – Jan 27