A temperature rollercoaster spans the Prairies into the weekend, with a battle between Arctic air and much milder Pacific air. For those that start the weekend on the colder side of this battle, some tricky travel is possible as snow pushes in.
A low-pressure system that developed in northern Alberta during the overnight Thursday will track south into southern Manitoba by late Friday and into Saturday morning.
Prairies forecast precipitation Friday overnight – Jan. 10, 2025
Snow started in northern Alberta for places like Fort McMurray early Friday morning, with a slight risk of freezing rain for places from Slave Lake, through Athabasca, and down to Lloydminster continuing into Friday afternoon.
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The main area of snow will be along the Saskatchewan and Manitoba border, where between 5-10 cm of snow is possible into Saturday. Snowy roads and slick conditions are likely, so you’ll want to plan ahead.
Prairies forecast snow totals through Sunday morning – Jan. 10, 2025
For Friday overnight into Saturday, scattered flurries are possible for eastern Alberta from the QE2 near Edmonton and Red Deer right through into Saskatchewan, and southern Manitoba.
Breezy conditions are also expected along the Alberta and Saskatchewan border Friday night through Saturday afternoon. Gusts of 40-60 km/h could result in some blowing snow, which may impact visibility when driving.
Baron – Saturday morning winds Prairies – Jan9
The flurries will gradually end throughout Sunday.
Wild temperature divide
The system will be bringing in mild air to the western Prairies, while reinforcing the cold air for Manitoba. Temperatures will rise well above freezing across central and southern Alberta and southwestern Saskatchewan for Friday and Saturday.
Prairies forecast conditions Friday afternoon – Jan. 10, 2025
A 17°C temperature difference is forecast from Calgary to Winnipeg, with a more dramatic spread of 32°C from Lethbridge to Churchill!
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Much colder than seasonal temperatures are forecast across Saskatchewan and Manitoba for Sunday and into Monday before mild Pacific air gradually spreads west to east across the region during mid-week.
Frigid weather will return late next week and weekend, and will dominate for the rest of January and into February as cross polar flow resumes.
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