Prairie Weather (Rural Roots Canada) – Snow Thursday night, recovery on the weekend.

Snow Has Fallen!  (Update Jan 23)

Each of the three prairie provinces has received snow in the past seven days.   Not much.    And there will be more over the next seven days.   Not much.   Snow totals across the prairies as compiled by volunteer observers in the CoCoRahs network:

 

Alberta:

Data: CoCoRahs

Saskatchewan:
Data: CoCoRahs

 

Manitoba:
Data: CoCoRahs

 

Thursday

Alberta

Chinook conditions will form in southwestern Alberta early Thursday morning, but won’t last long.   By the afternoon, snow’s expected in the southern third of the province as a weak cold front pushes the chinook warmth into Montana.    The front will pass through during the afternoon, and while there won’t be a lot of snow, there will be a strong north wind.  The  wind will cause temperatures to fall rather quickly, and will generate some blowing snow.   Visibility in open areas will be reduced, especially south of the Trans Canada Highway.    Because cold air is coming in aloft, the atmosphere will destabilize, and there may be some lightning associated with the passing front.

Saskatchewan

A weak trough of low pressure will generate some snow in central and northern Saskatchewan during the day Thursday.   This is not a big storm, there is no source of abundant moisture, so the snowfall will be light.  The snow will cross the province from northwest to southeast, and will continue into the evening, through the night, and into Friday morning.

Manitoba

Significant snowfall is not expected in Manitoba on Thursday.   Most of the province should be mainly sunny to partly cloudy.    However, the persistent Arctic air won’t go away.   It will continue to be colder than -15, even in the warmest afternoon hours.   Closer to the Saskatchewan boundary, temperatures may warm to somewhere between -10 and -15,  but, at last, warmer weather may be just a day away.

Friday

Alberta

The day begins with a mainly sunny sky, except for some upslope snow in southwestern Alberta, from Lethbridge west through Fort Macleod, Pincher Creek and Crowsnest Pass.  The snow will extend south to and beyond the US border.   Some of the snow against east facing slopes could be heavy, and there may be disruptions to travel on highway 3.   But not for long.   The snow will quickly taper off, leaving a cloudy sky in the region.   In the afternoon, there may be a few flurries popping up anywhere south of Highway 3 from the BC boundary to Saskatchewan.   The rest of the province stays dry, with highs between -5 and 0.

Saskatchewan

The weak trough that brought snow to Saskatchewan on Thursday will continue to produce snow across the province on Friday, with 2 to 5 cm of snow expected by Friday night.   Wind will crank up with gusts to 70 km per hour in the afternoon and evening, reducing visibility in blowing snow.   Generally, afternoon temperatures will range from -5 to -10, but the wind will make it feel much colder.

 

Manitoba

Look at this!

Courtesy: Pivotal Weather

 

At last, some of the mild Pacific air that has brought warm conditions to Alberta and Saskatchewan reaches Manitoba.  As the map shows, highs in most of Manitoba will reach the negative single digits – considerably warmer than the past week.   However, as a trough and cold front work their way into Manitoba from a Low to the north, there will be snow.   Consistent snow can be expected across the entire province, from north to south.

 

Saturday:

Alberta

Somewhat colder weather returns to Alberta, but highs will be near the seasonal average in the south, and above average in the north.  Across the extent of the province, temperatures will peak near -5.  A large ridge of high pressure stretching from the Pacific east through British Columbia will generate a westerly flow across the prairies, along with dry weather.   No snow, nor any disruptions to travel are expected, as Alberta will remain mainly sunny through the day.

Saskatchewan

Behind the front that caused Friday’s blustery weather, are much drier conditions, thanks to a westerly wind.   The far northern regions of Saskatchewan may experience some snow, from a weak Low along the Territorial boundary, but in the southern 3/4 of Saskatchewan, no precipitation is anticipated on Saturday.   Highs near -5  can be expected north of Saskatoon.   South of there, it will be cooler, with highs near -10.

Manitoba

Outflow from a Low in the Pacific ocean will generate a westerly wind across Manitoba on Saturday.   With Friday’s snow and cold front out of the way, the shift in the wind to the west will bring dry air into the province.   No snow is expected except for the far northwestern corner of Manitoba.   It will, however, be colder again.   Highs in the -10 to -15 range can be expected,  and so can a significant wind chill.

Sunday:

Alberta and Saskatchewan will stay dry, with plenty of sunshine and a westerly wind.   Parts of Manitoba will get snow, which will fall north and east of the Lakes.  From the Red River Valley west, expect dry weather, and a westerly wind, with a mainly sunny sky.    It will be milder again, with highs in much of Alberta climbing above 0, and those in Saskatchewan and Manitoba remaining slightly below zero.

 

COMPARE:  Prairie Weather This Week – Jan 13

 

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