A temperature rollercoaster continues on the Prairies, but frigid Arctic air will soon dominate during the second half of January. Conditions will be dangerously cold, and will rival some of the coldest of the season so far this weekend.
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Ahead of the Arctic blast, a low pressure system will track through the northern Prairies on Thursday and Friday, bringing a swath of heavy snow primarily well north of the Yellowhead Highway.
Strong winds will whip up elsewhere across the region, with widespread gusts between 60-80 km/h expected ahead of the weekend.
Be sure to plan ahead, as the snow and winds could impact travel at times before the frigid air settles in.
Clipper system brings snow and winds
A clipper system will track from northern Alberta to south-central Manitoba during the day on Thursday.
Baron – Prairie precipitation Thursday afternoon – Jan15
This will bring a swath of 10-20 cm of snow across northwestern Alberta and into Manitoba’s Interlake region through Friday morning.
There is still some snow forecast in southern areas along the Trans-Canada and Yellowhead Highway, though much less accumulations are expected into Friday.
Baron – Prairie snow totals – Jan15
The greater risks across the south will be the strong wind gusts.
Winds pick up on Thursday, peaking in the evening, and remaining gusty into Friday afternoon. Widespread strong gusts between 60-80 km/h are expected.
Baron – Friday morning wind gusts Prairies – Jan15
Dangerously cold conditions settle in
Cold temperatures that will rival some of the coldest of the season will then move in for the weekend, as Arctic air plunges south, and spreads east across the region.
Baron – Prairie Sunday temperatures – Jan15
Severe and dangerously cold conditions are expected, with temperatures as much as 10 to 20°C colder than seasonal through early next week.
SEE ALSO: Calgary’s no-show snowstorms this winter. When will one finally arrive?
Much milder Pacific air will spread east at times during the final days of January, but reinforcing shots of Arctic air will keep the milder periods brief.
WATCH: Where is Calgary’s snow, is this normal?
Click here to view the video