While much of Alberta is enjoying the warm weather hugging the province right now, a big blast of cold air is forecast to come sweeping in soon.
So make sure you get out this weekend and enjoy the above-seasonal temperatures for large swathes of Alberta because you’ll likely miss it when it’s gone.
Daily Hive chatted with Stephen Berg, meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), regarding the chilly blast coming our way.
Before we get to the cold, looking at the seven-day forecasts for Edmonton and Calgary show daytime highs above zero the entire time for YYC, while in YEG the only day not above zero is Thursday, January 16.
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Calgary
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Berg said that the above-seasonal temperatures are expected to hold on until the end of next week, with the chance of snow in the cards for both Edmonton and Calgary this coming weekend.
The warmth will be sticking around thanks to a couple of low-pressure systems that are over the eastern edge of the Rockies and central/southern Alberta, and one over the Northwest Territories, allowing for a warm front to push the warmer air south, along with Calgary being treated by a Chinook off the Rockies.
Things take a chillier turn when the low-pressure systems move off late next week, a cold front sweeps through, and colder air will filter in from the north.
“Expect below seasonal values from next weekend and beyond. It’s certainly going to get more unpleasant with wind chills. Not sure if warning criteria will be reached; it’s still far in advance, but certainly a lot less pleasant weather next weekend than this weekend,” said Berg.
Areas of northern Alberta, like the High Level area, will see the cold invade first, followed by Edmonton, Calgary, and southern Alberta. However, it may be a little less cold towards the south, but it will still be below-seasonal for most of the province.
Berg added that for Edmonton, the normal high for this time of year is -7°C and the low is -18°C, while in Calgary, the normal high for this time of year is -3°C and the low is -15°C.