Rounds of snow and ice hit the Prairies in time for the holidays
Holiday travel across the Prairies may be impacted by hazardous conditions this week. A Pacific system is set to deliver a one-two punch of heavy snow, followed by icy precipitation, including freezing rain. Travellers should prepare for challenging road conditions and monitor updates
Many areas across the Prairies are on track for a white Christmas as 10-20 cm of snow and icy precipitation are forecast during the holidays.
Central Alberta, including Edmonton, is expected to see heavier snowfall on Christmas Eve, with widespread amounts of 10-15+ cm.
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Snow will extend eastward along and north of the Yellowhead Highway on Wednesday night, reaching east-central Saskatchewan and central Manitoba by Christmas morning.
Stay updated on possible weather alerts and travel advisories during peak holiday travel times.
Christmas Eve snow spreads across Alberta
A series of storms are moving from the West Coast across the Prairies, bringing snow and icy precipitation through the holidays.
The first system is delivering snow across Alberta through Wednesday. Calgary could see 3-5 cm by Wednesday morning, with the snow lifting north and east throughout the day.
Edmonton is anticipated to receive 10-20 cm of snow from Wednesday afternoon into Christmas morning.
Central Saskatchewan and Manitoba's Interlake region will see 5-10 cm by Christmas morning.
Threat of icy conditions for Christmas Day Thursday
A second system will bring icy conditions to the southern Prairies on Thursday.
This storm will pull mild, moist Pacific air into the region, colliding with cold Arctic air settled at the surface. This setup may cause brief periods of freezing drizzle or drizzle Thursday morning in southern Alberta and Saskatchewan, shifting east into southern Manitoba by evening.
While no major impacts are expected at this time, roads could become slippery, so caution is advised.
Forecasters will continue to monitor the potential for icy precipitation, as uncertainty remains regarding the exact locations and timing of impacts across southern parts of the region on Christmas Day.