Wet, cold and snowy start to the week prompts weather warnings/statements
A low complex (multiple low-pressure systems) across the western Prairies and B.C. will create some challenging conditions over the next few days.
Southern Alberta will be impacted by multiple upsloping events, with the first hitting Monday afternoon and evening.
A colder air mass from the north will clash with a moisture-laden system from the Pacific producing heavy accumulations of precipitation.
These types of scenarios with systems that have counter-clockwise rotation and move over the mountains and across southern Alberta are very difficult to forecast with precision.
As such models calculating the location of the heaviest accumulations and the type of precipitation vary significantly, even from run-to-run using the same parameters and programs.
Rain will precede snow in most areas in the province as warmer atmospheric temperatures persist on Monday. The daytime highs in southern Alberta on Monday are expected to be in the low-double digits.
Temperatures will steadily decline as the week goes on with the daytime highs in Calgary expected to hit 3 C by Wednesday, which is 14 degrees below seasonal.
Overnight temperatures will remain closer to seasonal as the window between highs and lows narrows throughout the week.
It is likely that the heaviest amounts of snow on Monday and Tuesday will be west of Calgary as a low pressure system riding the southern border is expected to track east throughout the week, but again, confidence is low.
Initial snowfall is expected to melt off of roadways as surface temperatures remain elevated, but if snowfall rates are intense and/or winds are strong, (most likely to occur at higher elevations) that snow could pile up and impact traction.
Once snow does start to accumulate there is the potential for areas to rapidly add to that total. Some models are suggesting snowfall amounts of 20 to 30 centimetres are possible in the Rockies in less than a day.
Hail is possible in the foothills and portions of the Rockies Monday due to the convective potential at the beginning of this event.
A second round of snow will impact the region late Tuesday and again on Wednesday. Normal diurnal cycles will dictate that this precipitation should coincide with the coldest times of the day, so a rain/snow mix or snow will be most probable as the week goes on.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
For first time in more than 10 years, child dies of measles in Ontario
A young child has died of measles in Ontario, marking the first death in the province from the highly contagious virus in more than 10 years, a Public Health Ontario report confirms.
NEW Pack the macaroni necklace: Lessons on evacuations from a woman who fled one of Canada's worst wildfires
Carol Christian had 15 minutes to evacuate her home during the Fort McMurray wildfires in 2016. She ended up losing the house and everything inside. Now, she wants to share the lessons she learned.
Think twice before sharing 'heartbreaking' social media posts, RCMP warn
Mounties in B.C. are urging people to think twice before sharing "heartbreaking posts" on social media.
'Ugly produce': One way Canadians are shrinking rising grocery bills
As the cost of food in Canada has risen, grocery shoppers are looking at ways to reduce their grocery bill, and more are choosing price over beauty, turning to companies that deliver so-called 'misfit' produce at a fraction of the cost.
Vatican revamps norms to evaluate visions of Mary as it adapts to Internet age and combats hoaxers
The Vatican on Friday radically reformed its process for evaluating alleged visions of the Virgin Mary, weeping statues and other seemingly supernatural phenomena, insisting on having the final say in whether the events are worthy of popular devotion.
Wildfires burning across Canada: Communities threatened as flames creep closer
Thousands of residents fled Fort McMurray this week, fearing a repeat of the 2016 wildfire that forced out the entire community and torched more than 2,400 homes.
5 secrets to moving better and preventing avoidable injury
Countless people seek emergency care for back pain, muscle strains and similar injuries resulting from “moving wrong” during mundane, everyday tasks such as bending over to tie shoes, lifting objects or doing household chores.
Zach Bryan and girlfriend Brianna Chickenfry are 'happy and alive' after 'traumatizing' car accident
Zach Bryan and his girlfriend Brianna LaPaglia were involved in a scary car accident earlier this week, according to LaPaglia, who recalled the experience in a candid video posted to her TikTok page earlier this week.
Trudeau calls New Brunswick's Conservative government a 'disgrace' on women's rights
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau assailed New Brunswick's premier and other conservative leaders on Thursday, calling out the provincial government's position on abortion, LGBTQ youth and climate change.