Sunday morning ET, Environment Canada is calling for a yellow snowfall warning that could deliver up to 20 centimetres to Calgary and nearby areas, and Calgary Weather shifts from spring-like warmth into a winter pattern. Still, the precise corridors that will see the highest totals and the strength and timing of wind gusts are unconfirmed as of Sunday morning ET; those will be clarified by observations through Sunday afternoon and evening.
Environment Canada warning lists areas from Calgary to Claresholm and Rocky Mountain parks
Environment Canada has issued a yellow weather warning that is confirmed for Calgary, areas extending west to the edge of the Rocky Mountain parks and as far south as Claresholm, with up to 20 centimetres expected in Calgary and some nearby zones. Still, a similar warning is confirmed for the Columbia Icefields Parkway where 15 to 20 centimetres are forecast to begin Saturday night and continue into Sunday. Environment Canada also confirms snowfall is expected to taper off Monday morning.
Calgary Weather: wind forecasts and unconfirmed gust strengths across southern Alberta
Initial reports indicate a surge of Arctic air and wind warnings are in place across parts of southern Alberta, with forecasts of 15–20 cm of accumulation in places and gusts exceeding 90 km/h. Yet these wind-speed details are unconfirmed as of Sunday morning ET; initial reports indicate sustained winds in excess of 60 km/h in Lethbridge, Fort Macleod and Barnwell, with potential gusts to 100 km/h in the early afternoon. Initial reports indicate a sharp temperature gradient as an element of this setup, with Lethbridge near 12°C while portions of northern Alberta were near -25°C in recent observations.
Travel risk concentrated on Highways 1, 2, 3 and 22 near and south of Calgary
Initial reports indicate the frontal squall will be the focus for whiteout conditions and the heaviest snowfall, and that Highways 1, 2, 3 and 22 near and south of Calgary are forecast to face the worst conditions. Still, exact snowfall placement is low-to-moderate confidence in initial forecasts, because small shifts in the temperature boundary will create big swings in local totals. Initial reports indicate bursts of heavy snow are most likely Sunday evening, when wind-driven snow could reduce visibility rapidly.
Confirmed next event: measurable snowfall beginning Sunday morning ET is the trigger that will move this story. If Environment Canada’s forecast of up to 20 centimetres for Calgary is confirmed, travel disruptions and challenging conditions are expected through Monday morning ET.
