Calgary is getting hit with its first snowfall of the season on Monday and dropping temperatures overnight could make for a slippery morning commute on Tuesday.
660 NewsRadio meteorologist Kevin Stanfield says five to ten centimetres of snow is expected across parts of Calgary with the majority arriving around 4 p.m. and lasting later into the evening.
Higher snowfall totals are likely in higher elevation parts of the city like NW Calgary and along Sarcee Trail.
Stanfield says Sunday’s warmer temperatures means there is still a lot of heat trapped in the ground, which will likely melt most of the snow upon impact.
“We can expect a lot of this to melt, but we should expect some accumulation by the end of the day,” he says. “As far as the snow type is concerned, it’s the really heavy and wet stuff.”
He says it could make for an interesting drive home for anyone who doesn’t have their winter tires on yet.
Stanfield also says temperatures are expected to drop from -2 C and -9 C overnight, which could make for some slippery roads and a dicey morning commute on Tuesday.
Monday morning and the early afternoon saw some blowing snow but wind gusts around 50 km/h from the north will gradually soften to 30 km/h as Monday progresses
City crews have been prepping roads for the onslaught and will remain focused on the busiest routes, working down the priority list once the snow stops.
The city says crews will be on standby 24 hours a day and ready to respond to snowfall throughout the winter. Crews will prioritize bus routes and major routes first, before moving on to minor roadways.
More information on the city’s snow clearing can be found here.