Daytime highs up to 8 C before more snow at the end of the week

Above seasonal, warm temperatures in Calgary. Jodi Hughes has a look at the five-day forecast from the Sky Watch Weather Centre.

Temperatures were very typical for the Tuesday morning commute, sitting around -10 C in Calgary with light wind.

This was the ideal scenario for fog to form and many communities on the west side of the city experienced low-lying fog prior to sunrise.

That fog will mix out throughout the morning once temperatures start to rise.

A broad ridge of high-pressure riding the southern border of B.C., Alberta and Saskatchewan will continue to be the main influence for the region elevating temperatures for the next few days.

This pattern will shift by the end of the week as the polar vortex sinks into the Territories and eventually into the northern half of the Prairie provinces.

On Wednesday, the warmer air from the west will start to encounter that cold air from the north and generate instability.

Temperatures will decline and widespread snow is forecast from Alberta to Manitoba by the end of the week.

In Calgary, the daytime highs will peak at 2 C on Tuesday, 7 C on Wednesday and 8 C on Thursday, but once that frontal system moves in on Thursday temperatures will quickly drop to -8 C.

Thursday’s low of -8 C will become Friday’s high as temperatures continue to fall throughout the day.

Snow will track from the northwest to the southeast across Alberta.

Mixed precipitation is possible in Calgary early Thursday evening before it transitions to snow.

Strong north wind is also expected, so visibility could be compromised and some surfaces will likely ice up.

The bulk of the snow will fall in Calgary on Friday, with between 8 to 10 centimetres possible that day.

Some portions of central and eastern Alberta could see as much as 20 centimetres with this system.

Heavier accumulations are also possible along the foothills as the Rockies serve as a topographical barrier.

This cooldown will be short-lived as daytime highs return to above seasonal values by early next week.