Thunderstorm threat pops up in B.C., Alberta before cooldown with alpine snow
Get ready for a dynamic weather shift in Western Canada. Following a thunderstorm risk on Friday, a cold front will cause temperatures to plummet considerably, leading to snow for the higher elevations of B.C. and Alberta
A significant cooldown is set to arrive this weekend across B.C. and Alberta, with high-elevation snow, but before that happens, there will be a chance of thunderstorms for both provinces.
Widespread and much-needed rainfall totals of 20-40+mm are likely for parts of B.C., including the Lower Mainland. The rain will come with a non-severe thunderstorm risk on Friday, stretching into parts of Alberta, too.
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By Saturday, temperatures across B.C. and Alberta will drop noticeably, with the cooldown also leading to high-elevation snow in parts of both provinces.
Thunderstorm threat before cooldown arrives in B.C., Alberta
After a seasonably warm stretch of sun and temperatures in the mid-20s, change is coming to B.C. and Alberta.
A strong low and cold front will develop stateside, tracking northwards over the Rockies and onto the Prairies through Friday.
Widespread rainfall is expected, along with a non-severe storm chance, on Friday.
The recent heat has built up some thunderstorm energy, so storms will be possible on Vancouver Island, the Interior and across Alberta.
Much-needed rain is expected in the Lower Mainland where 0 mm has been recorded in Abbotsford, B.C., and a measely 2.5 mm seen at Vancouver airport so far this September.
The cold front will be sharp, though, wrapping in cold air from the north in its wake.
Expect a dramatic cooldown in Alberta, with a 10-degree or higher drop anticipated.
Temperatures will go from the mid-to-high 20s on Friday to the low, double digits on Saturday.
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Freezing levels will drop, as well, leading to alpine snow.
Alpine snow is expected for the Rockies and Coast Mountains.
The freezing level will hover near 1500 m in Jasper, Alta., on Saturday morning.