First snowfall of season to hit Alberta, Saskatchewan this weekend
Environment Canada warns travel will be challenging as a cold trough brings snow to parts of Western Canada.
A shift to colder conditions this Thanksgiving weekend is set to bring snow across parts of Western Canada, beginning Friday and lasting through Sunday.
Environment and Climate Change Canada issued snowfall warnings for parts of Alberta ahead of the system, including Hinton, Grande Prairie, Jasper, and Whitecourt.
"Travel will likely be challenging. Visibility will likely be reduced at times. Local utility outages are possible," the agency said. "Allow extra time for travel. Take frequent breaks and avoid strain when clearing snow."
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A trough of cold air from northern Canada will dig into the northwest United States, spilling over into British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan.
As the colder air interacts with warmer air to the south, an active storm system will develop, triggering rain that will transition to snow from central Alberta into northern Saskatchewan.
Snowfall will begin late Friday near Hinton, Grande Prairie, Edmonton, and Red Deer, with flurries spreading south to Calgary on Saturday.
Accumulations between 2–5 cm are possible this weekend for areas between Edmonton and Calgary, with higher snowfall amounts expected in raised regions near the foothills and significant accumulations in the Northern Rockies.
Environment Canada said the snowfall could overperform in Edmonton, with totals reaching 5-10 cm instead.
These likely represent the season's first snowflakes for large parts of central and southern Alberta, with potential Thanksgiving travel delays due to winter driving conditions.
While snowfall totals remain uncertain, some accumulation on untreated surfaces is becoming increasingly likely.
Temperatures will drop near or below 0°C in parts of Alberta on Saturday and Sunday, with Saskatchewan sitting at the edge of the cold and southern Manitoba remaining milder.
Behind the system, temperatures across Alberta will fall below the freezing mark. Wind chill values will make it feel like the minus double digits on Sunday night.
With files from The Weather Network