Alberta's weather will feel like winter this weekend with snow and freezing temperatures

Snow is on the way! ❄️

snow covered ground with calgary skyline in the background

Calgary skyline.

Senior Writer

Get ready because Alberta's weather is going to feel more like winter this weekend.

Snow and temperatures below freezing are expected not just in the mountains but in Calgary too!

A new forecast from The Weather Network revealed that the "first signs of winter" and shots of snow are on the way to Alberta's big cities.

The province is transitioning to a more typical fall weather pattern of slightly warmer-than-seasonal temperatures and the occasional blasts of colder-than-normal air.

So, that's why there is a possibility of the season's first snowfall in both higher and lower elevations this week.

A cold front moving through the province is expected to bring snow to higher elevations near Jasper on Tuesday, October 7.

Then, in Calgary, there will be a "temperature roller coaster" this week as daytime highs in the 20s drop sharply into the low double digits.

Overnight and early morning temperatures could be near or below freezing during the Thanksgiving weekend.

That has the potential to turn the rain that's in the forecast into a rain-snow mix at lower elevations.

A shot of snowfall is possible late on Saturday, October 11 and into Sunday, October 12, as a trough moves across western Canada.

This weather pattern is ideal for colder conditions, according to The Weather Network.

Morning temperatures will be -1 C in Calgary, 0 C in Edmonton, -5 C in Banff, -4 C in Jasper, 1 C in Fort McMurray and 3 C in Lethbridge on Sunday.

The Weather Network noted that it's almost a certainty that snow will accumulate in higher elevations in the Rockies, including Banff and Jasper.

But there is still some uncertainty for lower elevations like Calgary, Lethbridge, Red Deer and the surrounding areas.

Snow could fall in areas west of the QE2 this weekend, and Calgary could see its first flurries of the season if temperatures drop even further.

Canada's fall forecasts have called for early cold snaps, flurries and wet snow by mid-October and rain-snow mixes at the end of October in the Prairies.

So, you should expect to see more snow in Alberta before the month is over!

This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.

  • Senior Writer

    Lisa Belmonte (she/her) is a Senior Writer with Narcity Media. After graduating with a Bachelor of Journalism from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University), she joined the Narcity team. Lisa covers news and notices from across the country from a Canada-wide perspective. Her early coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic earned Narcity its first-ever national journalism award nomination.

Canada's new fall forecast says there will be an 'abrupt transition' to early winter weather

Warmer temperatures will be interrupted by blasts of winter-like weather. 🍂❄️

More winter weather is forecast in Ontario with up to 15 cm of 'heavy snow' this week

Lake-effect snow after the storm could increase accumulation totals in southern Ontario!

Costco gave a sneak peek of a new special warehouse that's opening in March

The store is a first for this province and it also offers a service that other locations don't!

Baby formula sold at Costco is being recalled due to a toxin that can cause food poisoning

The toxin is not destroyed by heat and can survive temperatures that would usually kill bacteria.

A new Canada's best employers list is out and here's why these are the top places to work

This list includes federal government agencies, universities, retailers and other companies.

Canada is ramping up immigration for foreign military members amid a CAF staffing shortage

Ottawa is introducing a new a new express entry stream for foreign military applicants.