Lousy Smarch weather: Wet snow, freezing rain expected in Alberta

‘Tis the season for hoping that spring has finally arrived — only for us to be reminded this is, after all, Alberta, and winter has not yet released its grip on the province.

Environment Canada said wintry travel conditions will return between Wednesday and Friday.

Heavy wet snow will begin Wednesday night over parts of west-central Alberta, including for Grande Prairie, Whitecourt and Edson, the national weather agency said.

On Thursday morning, Environment Canada said snow will intensify across the middle of the province, including the Edmonton area.

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South of Edmonton, including Red Deer and areas east in central Alberta, rain mixed with freezing rain is possible before transitioning to snow Thursday afternoon.

Snowfall amounts of five to 20 cm is forecast by Friday morning across central Alberta, with higher accumulations of 25 cm possible near the Rocky Mountains and over areas northwest of Edmonton, such as near Grande Prairie.

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Global Edmonton weather specialist Phil Darlington noted Edmonton may receive a mix of rain and snow, up to 10 or so cm.

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But — given the warm temperatures to start the week and uncertainty in how fast the snow will fall, Environment Canada said confidence in total snowfall accumulations is moderate.

The weather will sweep across a section of the province around Edmonton and to the south, but for the most part Calgary will miss the worst of it.

1:55 Lousy Smarch weather: Winter makes a comeback in Edmonton

“As this low-pressure system develops, warm air will surge into southern Alberta, pushing temperatures into the high teens — possibly even the low 20s. This will keep any moisture in that region as rain,” said Global Calgary meteorologist Tiffany Lizee.

“Calgary will sit between the colder and warmer air masses, so if the city does see any precipitation, it will start as rain, then turn to wet snow as cooler air takes over.”

While Albertans may be ready to welcome spring, Lizee noted the records show we rarely get through the month without a last round of winter weather — however this year has been fairly dry in the south.

“March is typically Calgary’s snowiest month, but so far this March, the airport has only recorded eight cm of snowfall, which is 16 cm below the monthly norm,” she said. “While February’s snowfall was closer to average, January was exceptionally dry, with Calgary receiving less than 30 per cent of its usual moisture.”

So buckle up Alberta, and don’t swap our your tires quite yet — third winter is on the way.