Heavy Snow to Disrupt Travel Across the Prairies with 10-20+ cm Expected
Travelers in the Prairies should prepare for heavy snow this week, with some areas expecting over 20 cm, impacting major routes and visibility.
Saskatoon, Regina, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Snow, Travel
Saskatoon: This week, the Prairies are in for some serious winter weather. A big snowstorm is rolling in, and it’s going to make travel tricky on the roads. We’re talking about localized snow totals that could hit over 20 cm by Thursday.
The snow is coming from the Pacific, moving through British Columbia and over the Rockies. It’ll start hitting Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba on Wednesday, so keep an eye on the forecast.
With the holidays around the corner, many folks are planning trips. It’s super important to stay updated on the weather and any warnings in your area. Conditions can change fast, so if you’re driving, be ready for some rough weather.
On Wednesday morning, snow will kick off in Alberta, bringing a few centimeters to Calgary. This is just the start, as more snow is expected throughout the day.
A weather system developing over southern Alberta will keep the snow coming into Wednesday afternoon, but it’ll move south into Montana later on. Still, the snow will keep falling in central Alberta and southwestern Saskatchewan.
By Wednesday evening, the snow should wrap up in Alberta and shift into Saskatchewan. Areas south of Prince Albert, including Saskatoon, are in for heavy snowfall. Expect 15-25 cm in the hardest-hit spots, while parts of central Alberta and Manitoba might see around 10-15 cm.
Gusty winds are also a concern, with speeds reaching 40-60 km/h. This could create whiteout conditions on the highways, making it tough to see. In southern Alberta and southwestern Saskatchewan, gusts could even hit 80 km/h.
So, if you’re out driving on Wednesday evening, be careful. The early sunset will make visibility even worse with the blowing snow. And remember, don’t use your high beams in the snow at night; it’ll just blind you and other drivers.
By Thursday morning, the snow should be done in Saskatchewan, moving into southern Manitoba overnight.
As for temperatures, Arctic air is moving in, and we could see highs around -20°C and lows dipping into the -30s. But don’t worry, there’s a brief warm-up coming before another cold snap hits just in time for the weekend.
There might be a few more chances for snow in the northern areas, but no major storms are expected right now. Just a heads up, it looks like we’ll be back to colder weather for the first half of January.
Stay tuned to The Weather Network for all the latest updates on the conditions across the Prairies.