Snowfall warnings have been issued for a large swath of Alberta, with up to 35 cm of snow in the forecast into the weekend.
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) issued the warnings early Friday morning, calling for a “long period of snowfall with total amounts of 15 to 35 cm expected”.
The warnings were issued for numerous areas, including the City of Edmonton, the City of Calgary, the City of Lethbridge, the City of Red Deer, the City of Medicine Hat, Cochrane, Airdrie, Sherwood Park, Drumheller, Devon, and Okotoks.
For portions of southern Alberta, the ECCC says snowfall will begin this morning, spreading northward through the day. Snowfall intensity will vary through the day and tonight, with general amounts of 5 to 10 cm anticipated by Saturday morning.
Snowfall will intensify early Saturday morning, with another 10 to 25 cm anticipated by Saturday evening, with snowfall easing and gradually ending overnight into Sunday morning.
For major metropolitan areas like Edmonton and Calgary, the ECCC says snowfall will begin this evening and will intensify Saturday morning, with total snowfall amounts of 15 to 25 cm are anticipated, with snowfall setting to ease Saturday night.
Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow. Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways, and parking lots may become difficult to navigate due to accumulating snow.
The federal weather agency cautioned to prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions.
Snowfall warnings are issued when significant snowfall is expected.