Calgary and other parts of southwestern Alberta are under a snowfall warning as a significant winter storm is expected to bring up to 40 cm of snow by Tuesday night. The storm is caused by two distinct weather systems that will move across the region, bringing heavy snow, strong winds, and dangerous driving conditions.
A snowfall warning has been issued for Calgary and surrounding areas
Environment Canada issued a snowfall warning for Calgary and several other areas in southern Alberta on Sunday afternoon, advising people to prepare for rapidly changing and deteriorating travel conditions. The warning covers the following areas:
- Airdrie, Cochrane, Olds and Sundre
- City of Calgary
- Crowsnest Pass, Pincher Creek and Waterton Lakes National Park
- High Level: Rainbow Lake, Fort Vermilion, Mackenzie Hwy
- Kananaskis – Canmore
- Okotoks, High River and Claresholm
The weather agency said that snowfall will start along the Rockies on Sunday night and spread eastward throughout the day on Monday. Between 10 and 20 cm of snow is expected in those areas by Wednesday evening, with the potential for more than 30 cm in mountain areas. The snowfall warning also said that visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow and that people should take frequent breaks and avoid strain when clearing snow.
A winter storm warning has been issued for Crowsnest Pass area
In addition to the snowfall warning, Environment Canada also issued a winter storm warning for the Crowsnest Pass area, which includes the municipalities of Crowsnest Pass, Pincher Creek, and Cardston County. The warning said that a major winter storm would bring 25 to 40 cm of snow, along with wind gusts up to 80 km/h, creating blizzard-like conditions. The warning also said that travel is not recommended in the area and that people should be prepared for emergencies.
The winter storm warning said that the storm will begin on Sunday night and intensify on Monday, with the heaviest snow and strongest winds expected on Monday night and Tuesday morning. The warning also said that the storm would gradually weaken on Tuesday afternoon and evening, but that snow and blowing snow would continue to affect the area until Wednesday.
Calgary could see up to 30 cm of snow by Tuesday
According to Kyle Brittain, a weather expert and freelance video journalist, Calgary could see up to 30 cm of snow by Tuesday, depending on the track and intensity of the storm. He said that the storm is what’s called an up-slope storm, which means that the air is flowing up the slope of the land and helps to enhance precipitation totals along the terrain such as the foothills and the mountains.
“You will see the highest totals of the snow in the mountains and along the foothills where the air is being forced to rise with,” he said. He also said that Calgary may see some melting at first, as the ground is still warm, but that won’t last for long as colder temperatures are in store over the next couple of days.
Arctic air to bring frigid temperatures to southern Alberta
Following the snow, a blast of frigid Arctic air will bring about the coldest temperatures southern Alberta has seen since December, with lows dropping below -20 C for the majority of the week. Brittain said that the cold air will be dragged in by another system that will move through on the weekend and that it will take until Saturday for the temperatures to start to warm up again.
“We are expecting another system to move through in the weekend and that’s going to drag in some substantially colder air from the north so that by the time we’re looking at Monday morning, we could have temperatures of –19 degrees in the city of Calgary,” he said.
Tips for staying safe and warm during the storm
As the storm approaches, here are some tips for staying safe and warm during the storm:
- Check the latest weather forecasts and warnings before heading out.
- Avoid unnecessary travel and stay off the roads if possible.
- If you must travel, make sure your vehicle is equipped with winter tires, a full tank of gas, and an emergency kit.
- Dress in layers and wear appropriate clothing and footwear for the weather.
- Keep an eye on your neighbors, especially seniors and people with disabilities, and offer help if needed.
- Clear snow and ice from your sidewalks and driveways as soon as possible, and use salt or sand to prevent slipping.
- If you experience a power outage, use flashlights or battery-powered lanterns instead of candles, and keep your fridge and freezer doors closed as much as possible.
