70-90 km/h winds: Blustery warmth sweeps across Alberta
Strong winds out of the Rockies will bring a bout of November warmth across Alberta into the weekend.
It may have felt like winter came early to Alberta over the past couple of weeks, with a shot of cold air and widespread snow impacting the province, but that's about to completely flip heading into this weekend.
A series of strong Pacific storms targeting the B.C. coast will allow for strong downslope winds east of the Rockies. As those winds flow downslope, the air carried with them will rapidly warm, bringing temperatures across Alberta 5-10 degrees above seasonal.
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Wind warnings are in effect along the eastern Rockies and foothills, including Calgary.
"Driving conditions will likely be difficult," Environment and Climate Change Canada warns. "Damage to roofs, fences, branches or soft shelters is possible."
Strong winds, temperatures build Friday
Strong wind gusts will target the foothills starting early Friday and strenghten throughout the day. Peak wind gusts are forecast around 60-80 km/h and will spread into the Calgary area and QE2 corridor by late evening, continuing overnight.
Forecasters are also keeping a close eye on the wind gusts in the extreme southwest, along Highway 1/22, where gusts could reach almost 100 km/h. This may impact travel as light trailers could be flipped over in the wind, as well as loose debris that may obstruct the road.
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Persistent winds should pick up Friday afternoon and reach their peak by the evening before easing late Saturday morning. Another atmospheric river impacting B.C. on Sunday, however, will make the break in wind somewhat brief as the Pacific flow once again travels over the Rockies and brings back the gusty conditions to central and southern Alberta.
The silver lining with the blustery winds, though, will be a sharp temperature increase. Daily highs across the province will range from 5-10 degrees above seasonal. Parts of southern Alberta will even see temperatures reach the mid-teens on Saturday!
Temperatures will still be slightly above seasonal to the north, but a low-pressure system developing along the Northwest Territories border could bring some showers with a bit of snow mixed in through Saturday.
Stay with The Weather Network for the latest updates and information on your forecast across Alberta.