Cold front zaps warmth from the Prairies, burst of snow on doorstep
People who basked in Saturday's abundant sunshine and late-season warmth will find Sunday something of a disappointment. A passing cold front will send temperatures tumbling, and many across the region will be waking up to a dash of snow, heaviest in the mountains and foothills of Alberta. A closer look, below.
INTO SUNDAY: SNOWY, CHILLY END TO THE WEEKEND
After Saturday's widespread warmth, a cold front that began slumping south across the region in the evening will leave below-seasonal temperatures through the overnight and into Sunday morning – and fuel a shot of April snow.
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Accumulating snow is expected for areas west of Highway 2 in Alberta, with the highest amounts focused along the higher terrain, including the Rockies and southern foothills, where up to 20 cm is possible with the help of upslope flow.
Minor accumulations also stretch into portions of southern Manitoba, as this cold front moves across the area Saturday overnight into early Sunday morning.
Once the front passes, winds will ramp up. The Prairies can expect northerly gusts of 50-60 km/h, which will continue through Sunday, delivering a chilly air mass to the region.
"Temperatures on Sunday will be a sharp contrast compared to Saturday, with most locations stuck in the low single digits, with lingering showers and snow flurries," Carter adds.
BEYOND: CHILLY CONDITIONS LINGER, BUT WILL FADE
The chilly weather will persist into early next week, as well, before slowly giving way to milder conditions by the end of next week.
Although no major storms are in sight, some additional shots of cooler and unsettled weather are possible for the final week of April.
Be sure to check back for updates on this Prairie pattern change.
