Cold, wet and windy today with a brief warm-up Friday

Cold and windy for Wednesday, warmer by Friday. Jodi Hughes has a look at the five-day forecast from the Sky Watch Weather Centre.

Snowfall warnings have been issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) for the southwest corner of Alberta.

The trailing end of a low pressure system remains pushed up against the southern foothills and, as of 8 a.m. Wednesday, persistent heavy, wet, snow was falling over the region.

In their warning ECCC noted, “Snow will intensify this morning. General amounts up to 10 cm are expected, though areas over higher terrain could see up to 20 cm.”

As of 8 a.m. Wednesday, the precipitation from the past 24 hours was producing a measurable impact along some major highways in southern Alberta due to changing road conditions, poor visibility, and – depending on location and elevation – snowfall accumulation.

The 511 Alberta cameras from the same time reflected the above, with some cameras covered in heavy, wet snow.

Warmer temperatures for the start of this week helped to keep surfaces warm, so initially the precipitation that fell was melting, but the prolific nature of this system eventually led to accumulation along some shoulders and slushy, wet, snow accumulation on area roadways.

Another warmup is expected by Friday when an incoming ridge of high pressure crossed into Alberta from British Columbia.

Once again, this will be short-lived with Saturday starting off warm before another frontal system introduces instability including a temperature drop, precipitation and strong wind.