Motorists in Calgary and Edmonton should prepare for potentially hazardous driving conditions as a significant storm system approaches the region. Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued a special weather statement for Calgary and surrounding areas, indicating that adverse weather may impact long weekend travel beginning overnight on Wednesday and continuing into Thursday.
Snowfall Predictions for Calgary and Edmonton
Initially, meteorologists predicted up to 20 centimeters of snow in Calgary by Thursday evening. However, recent updates adjusted this estimate to around 5 centimeters. Leslie Horton, a traffic and weather specialist at Global Calgary, provided insights on the evolving forecast.
- Start of Precipitation: Possible rain or a rain-snow mix beginning overnight.
- Duration: Weather impacts expected until dinner time on Thursday.
In the Calgary area, temperatures are expected to hover around freezing, complicating snowfall accumulation predictions. This weather may cause reduced visibility on the roads, leading to travel delays.
Areas Expecting Heaviest Snow
Highway 2 and portions of Highway 1, especially west of Calgary, are likely to experience the most severe weather. The special weather statement covers a vast area from Fort Macleod to Ponoka, extending from Canmore in the west to Drumheller in the east.
Edmonton’s Weather Outlook
Unlike Calgary, Edmonton is not under the special weather statement. However, the city anticipates some flurries starting late Wednesday, with an expected accumulation of up to 2 centimeters of snow before the storm clears on Thursday evening.
- Snow Impact: Most significant from Red Deer southwards, with scattered flurries west of Edmonton toward Whitecourt.
- Forecast Progression: Conditions may improve to a mix of sun and clouds by Friday.
As temperatures across southern and central Alberta are expected to rise into the mid to high single digits on Friday, any accumulated snow is likely to melt quickly. This should lead to improved driving conditions just in time for the Easter long weekend.
