Environment Canada issued a special weather statement for most of Alberta Monday afternoon, warning “an abrupt change in the weather is coming.”
The weather agency said the change in weather is expected to begin Tuesday evening and peak by midday Wednesday bringing rain and significant wind throughout much of the province.
By Tuesday afternoon, the weather agency upgraded its advisory to include a wind warning for much of central, east central and southeast Alberta as gusts of 100 km/h will be possible Wednesday.
“A strong low pressure system is forecast to develop by Tuesday evening west of Edmonton near the BC border,” the statement reads. “This low will then move east-southeast through the province. As it does so, a big change in the weather is expected to occur.”
Environment Canada said rain is forecast for west-central Alberta Tuesday night and then for Edmonton and the Capital Region by Wednesday morning. By evening, the rain is expected to have moved across the border and into Saskatchewan.
Global Edmonton’s chief meteorologist Jesse Beyer said upwards of 25 mm of rain and wind gusts approaching 100 km/h are possible for Edmonton.
“The heaviest rain will extend from Hinton and Grande Prairie eastward to Edmonton, Cold Lake and Lloydminster,” the weather agency said.
“Current indications are that rainfall amounts will be in the 30 to 40 mm range, but some areas of 50 to 75 mm are possible, especially with any thunderstorms embedded in the rain.”
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The foothills and Rocky Mountains could see up to 10 cm of snow by Wednesday morning, according to the statement.
Environment Canada said the weather system is also expected to bring powerful wind gusts with it. On Wednesday, wind gusts of up to 90 km/h are possible but “it is too early to determine where these gusts will occur.”
For a full list of areas in Alberta under a weather watch or warning, click here.
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