Our string of 20 consecutive days with temperatures in the 20s is about to end. Daytime highs for Edmonton are forecast to be in the 15-19 C degree range right through to at least early next week. Meteorological autumn started Sept. 1 and it’s going to feel like fall has arrived. We have an upper low off the southwest coast of B.C. feeding moisture into a surface low-pressure system that sits over southeastern Alberta Thursday morning. That surface low is spinning rain from southeast to west-northwest across much of the province. The low won’t quickly move off. Instead, it’ll get stuck over the province and slowly work it’s way north over the next 48 hours. The heaviest rain will continue to hit western Alberta and a rainfall warning is in effect for the Hinton/Grande Cache areas. Those regions will see 50-80 mm of rain by Friday night (possibly more in localized areas). For the Edmonton region, we’ll get some periods of rain through Thursday morning and then a chance of some off-and-on showers in the afternoon and evening. Temperatures will top out around 18 C with wind gusting around 40 km/h Thursday afternoon. Edmonton will be on the edge of the rain-zone Friday morning. So, there’s a chance of some rain in the morning. But, most of the precipitation will be WNW of the city (Peace Country through to Drayton Valley) and in northeastern Alberta (Fort McMurray and north). The best chance for showers in Edmonton Friday will be in the afternoon hours. I don’t think we’ll get much sun, but there should be a few sunny breaks at times on Friday. Through the weekend: Mostly cloudy skies and there’s a chance of some showers in the Edmonton region Saturday morning. Saturday’s looking to be the cooler of the two days with a high of 15 or 16 C, while Sunday climbs to around 18 or 19 C. LONG Range: Steadier rain may return for Monday and early Tuesday, although there’s some uncertainty with the location and strength of that system for early in the week. Expect cloudy and cool conditions and at least SOME precipitation. Here’s the forecast for Edmonton and area: Today - Cloudy with periods of rain in the morning. Mostly cloudy with a 60% chance of showers in the afternoon. Wind becoming SW 20 gusting to 40 this afternoon. High: 18 Tonight - Mostly cloudy. 30% chance of showers this evening. 9pm: 14 Friday - Mix of sun & cloud. 60% chance of showers, especially late in the day. Morning Low: 9 Afternoon High: 19 Saturday - Mostly cloudy. 40% chance of showers in the morning. Morning Low: 11 Afternoon High: 15 Sunday - Mostly cloudy. Morning Low: 9 Afternoon High: 18 Monday - Cloudy. 60% chance of rain. Morning Low: 12 Afternoon High: 16 Tuesday - Mostly Cloudy. 60% chance of rain in the morning. Morning Low: 11 Afternoon High: 17
