Fine line divides Prairies between basking in heat and being buried in snow
A late-March snowstorm will roll through a swath of the Prairies while temperatures in parts of the southern areas of the region will approach the 20-degree mark
Spring weather is in full swing on the Prairies this week, with a sharp contrast of weather that divides the region by a mere 500 kilometres or so.
Warmer conditions will spread across the south later this week, as very mild southerly air moves in. Meanwhile, some locales from central Alberta to southern Manitoba could see 10-20 cm snow, with locally higher amounts possible.
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For parts of southern Alberta and Saskatchewan, this will likely be the first 20-degree weather of the year so far.
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While the south basks in this taste of pleasant temperatures, central sections of the region will be dealing with some early-spring accumulations.
A clipper system will form over central Alberta, tracking into the Dakotas by the weekend. This will be the perfect storm track to leave the heaviest snow along the Yellowhead Highway.
The snow will begin in Edmonton early Thursday, reaching eastward into Winnipeg by the evening hours.
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Currently, a widespread 10-20 cm is possible from central Alberta to southern Manitoba. There is also a threat for blowing snow across the highways as winds pick up.
Preliminary city snowfall forecast:
Edmonton: about 18 cm
Lloydminster: about 15 cm
Saskatoon: 15 cm
Brandon: about 5 cm
Winnipeg: about 10 cm
Regardless, this wintry blast will be enough to slow commute times, so be sure to plan ahead for the changing conditions later this week.
By Friday morning, snow will taper to snow-showers across central Alberta, but farther east across Saskatchewan and Manitoba, pulses of heavy snow and a wintry mix will continue.
Much colder weather is forecast for the final few days of March, and into the start of April, as well.
Be sure to check back for the latest weather updates across the Prairies