Airdrie faces first snowfall of season as temperatures plunge for Thanksgiving weekend
Environment Canada warns of wet snow starting Saturday, with temperatures dropping from 18 C Friday to near zero.
AIRDRIE — Airdrie is heading into Thanksgiving weekend with a warm Friday and a much colder Saturday ahead, as Environment Canada updates its special weather statement for the region.
While the statement outlines the broader weather system, Environment Canada's separate local forecast for Airdrie calls for periods of wet snow beginning Saturday morning, following a Friday high of 18 C.
"Environment Canada is advising travellers to prepare for changing and deteriorating travel conditions over the holiday weekend," the agency said in its statement.
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Airdrie is forecast to reach 18 C Friday under mainly cloudy skies, with a 60 per cent chance of showers late in the afternoon.
West winds are expected to reach 30 km/h, gusting to 50 km/h.
By Friday night, temperatures are forecast to fall to 1 C, with a 60 per cent chance of evening showers and northwest winds gusting to我们这个 60 km/h.
Environment Canada's latest local forecast calls for periods of wet snow beginning Saturday morning, with temperatures holding near zero throughout the day.
Northwest winds are expected to reach 30 km/h, gusting to 60 km/h.
Periods of snow are also forecast Saturday night, with temperatures falling to -3 C.
The special weather statement, updated at 5:19 a.m. Friday, remains in effect for Rocky View County near Airdrie and Crossfield, warning that the first snowfall of the season could affect holiday travel across much of Alberta.
Environment Canada's updated special weather statement says rain will change to snow Friday in west-central Alberta and across much of the province Saturday or Saturday night.
By the end of Saturday, snow is expected to accumulate across much of central and northern Alberta, with heavier amounts forecast in west-central regions.
Snowfall warnings have been issued in areas where more significant impacts are expected.
The weather system is forecast to move south Saturday night, continuing to affect areas south of Calgary on Sunday.
Environment Canada says only light snow is currently expected in Calgary and areas to its east, although heavier snowfall could develop along the southern Alberta foothills and in locations south of Calgary.
The special weather statement includes Rocky View County near Airdrie and Crossfield but does not provide specific snowfall accumulation amounts for either community.
No snowfall accumulation amount is specified in the local forecast for Airdrie.
Airdrie's forecast calls for cloudy skies Sunday, with a high of 3 C before temperatures fall to -10 C overnight.
Thanksgiving Monday is expected to bring sunshine and a high of 12 C, although temperatures are forecast to dip to -7 C overnight.
Tuesday is looking warmer still, with sunshine and a high of 15 C.
A mix of sun and cloud is forecast Wednesday, with a high of 14 C, followed by sunshine and a high of 13 C Thursday.
With files from DiscoverAirdrie