Snowfall warnings issued for central/southern Alberta with up to 20 centimetres possible

Weather warnings issued for Alberta. Jodi Hughes has a look at the five-day forecast from the Sky Watch Weather Centre.

A number of intense low-pressure systems moving through the B.C. interior and across southern Alberta prompted a variety of weather warnings from Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) late Wednesday.

As of 8:30 a.m. Thursday, yellow-level snowfall warnings were still in place for central and eastern Alberta, central and southern Saskatchewan, areas west of Calgary in the foothills and in B.C. along Highway 1 near Rogers Pass.

ECCC said total snowfall amounts of 10 to 20 are expected by the time the snow ends.

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“Travel will likely be challenging. Roads and walkways will likely be difficult to navigate due to accumulating snow. Visibility will likely be reduced at times.”

Yellow-level wind warnings were also continued for southern Alberta due to “strong west winds gusting to 100 km/h.”

Winds are expected to ease by the afternoon.

The national weather agency cautioned, “high-sided vehicles will be pushed around by the wind.”

The yellow-level winter storm warnings (southern B.C.), and weather statements (B.C. interior) from Environment Canada were lifted by 8:30 a.m.

Road conditions across Alberta were compromised by Thursday morning with 511 Alberta reporting snow-and ice-covered routes across the region.

Cameras from 511 Alberta also reflected that.

Road conditions in Calgary improved throughout the morning commute, with major routes showing more lane definition, however, slushy and icy sections were still evident – especially on side streets, intersections and bridge decks.

Side streets, walkways, back alleys and parking lots were still snow-covered as of 9 a.m.

Calgary is expecting another three to five centimetres of snow on Thursday, with sustained wind speeds up to 20 km/h.

More snow is possible across southern Alberta on Friday and Saturday – including in Calgary.

Temperatures will remain below freezing and below seasonal until midday Sunday, when another weather pattern change will introduce warm Pacific air and strong west winds that will initiate a period of rapid melting.

The daytime high on Monday will be 11-degrees warmer than Sunday, and by the middle of next week temperatures could be record-setting in some communities.

Daytime highs in Calgary will range from 15 C and 18 C Tuesday through Thursday.