Heavy snow threatens dangerous travel on the Prairies, risk of 10-20+ cm

Saskatoon: This week, the Prairies are bracing for some seriously cold and snowy weather. A big storm is rolling in, and it’s set to make travel pretty tricky on major routes. We could see localized snow totals hitting over 20 cm by Thursday, especially in cities like Saskatoon and Regina.

On Tuesday, some moisture from the Pacific is expected to move through British Columbia, bringing snow as it crosses the Rockies into Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba on Wednesday. So, if you’re planning to travel, keep an eye on the weather updates.

With the holidays coming up, many folks are likely hitting the road, so it’s crucial to stay informed about any weather warnings. Conditions can change fast, and it’s best to be prepared for the snow to start piling up.

Snow is expected to kick off in Alberta’s foothills on Wednesday morning, with Calgary getting a couple of centimeters. This will be the first significant snowfall for the city this month. A weather system developing over southern Alberta will keep the snow coming into the afternoon before it moves south into Montana overnight.

As the snow continues, central Alberta and southwestern Saskatchewan will see heavy snowfall, especially around Edmonton and the Saskatchewan border. By Wednesday evening, the snow will have moved into Saskatchewan, with areas south of Prince Albert, including Saskatoon, expecting heavy snow. The hardest-hit areas could see between 15-25 cm, while parts of central Alberta and Manitoba might get around 10-15 cm.

Gusty winds are also a concern, with speeds reaching 40-60 km/h, which could create whiteout conditions on open highways. In southern Alberta and southwestern Saskatchewan, gusts could hit up to 80 km/h. So, if you’re driving, be extra cautious, especially during the evening when visibility will be reduced.

The snow should wrap up in Saskatchewan by Thursday morning, moving into southern Manitoba overnight. But don’t get too comfortable; Arctic air is on the way, bringing daytime highs around -20°C and lows dipping into the -30s. After this cold snap, we might see a brief warm-up before another round of Arctic air hits just in time for the weekend.

So, while there’s no major storm looming, expect a few chances for snow as weather systems pass through. And it looks like we’ll be in for a colder pattern as we head into January.

Stay tuned to The Weather Network for the latest updates on conditions across the Prairies!