Widespread weather statements and warnings issued for Alberta, B.C. and Saskatchewan as intense weather moves in

A wide variety of weather statements have been issued from Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) Tuesday starting in the Yukon and extending south and east to southern Manitoba.

A low-riding jet stream is allowing Arctic air to funnel south toward the Midwest, prompting extreme cold warnings in northern Alberta, central Saskatchewan and southern Manitoba.

The national weather agency explains “wind chill values near minus 40 will continue (Wednesday) morning,” with temperatures expected to moderate throughout the day.

Rainfall warnings (green), snowfall warnings (white), special weather statements (pink), winter storm warnings (dark blue), wind warnings (purple), and extreme cold warnings (light blue), issued from Environment and Climate Change Canada on Dec. 18, 2024.

Meanwhile, a moisture-laden Pacific frontal system has moved into B.C. with ECCC warning “50 to 80 millimetres of rain” is forecast for areas along the West Coast.

As that system tracks east along the international border, colder air will turn that rain into snow. Snowfall warnings have been issued for southern, central and northern B.C., as well as north, central, and southeastern Alberta, southern Saskatchewan, and southern Manitoba.

Special weather statements cover a good portion of the B.C. Interior not already under a snowfall, rain or winter storm warning, as “accumulating snow, or rain over snow” could result in “slippery and slushy surfaces on highways, roads, walkways, and parking lots.”

Rapidly accumulating snow (10 to 15 centimetres) is expected across the B.C. Interior, and that snow – at times in combination with strong winds – could significantly reduce visibility.

Westerly winds of up to 100 km/h are forecast for the southwest corner of Alberta.

In their wind warning for the region ECCC noted strong wind is expected to begin late Wednesday morning and ease up in the evening. “Loose objects may be tossed by the wind and cause injury and damage,” and driving should be adjusted to navigate changing road conditions.

Poor visibility and light snow is expected early Wednesday in Calgary, before stronger north winds associated with that modified polar air mixes out any fog while still suppressing temperatures and producing wind chill values of -21 to -26 for most of the day.

The westerly winds should start to edge north on Thursday, bringing Calgary’s high to -6 C on Thursday and 5 C on Friday.

Overnight temperatures will likely be well above average to start the weekend. Normal lows this time of year are -14 C, but they are expected to sit around 1 C, which is warmer than the average daytime high of -2 C.