Full spectrum of winter is taking over the Prairies this weekend
A low-pressure system will track into southern Manitoba, bringing periods of snow and a temperature divide between the western and eastern Prairies
A temperature roller-coaster spans the Prairies into the weekend, with a battle between Arctic air and much milder Pacific air. For those that start the weekend on the colder side of this battle, some tricky travel is possible as snow pushes in.
A low-pressure system that developed in northern Alberta will track south into southern Manitoba into Saturday morning.
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The main area of snow will be along the Saskatchewan and Manitoba border, where between 5-10 cm of snow is possible into Saturday. Snowy roads and slick conditions are likely, so you'll want to plan ahead.
Into Saturday, scattered flurries are possible for eastern Alberta from the QE2 near Edmonton and Red Deer right through into Saskatchewan, and southern Manitoba.
Breezy conditions are also expected along the Alberta and Saskatchewan border through Saturday afternoon. Gusts of 40-60 km/h could result in some blowing snow, which may impact visibility when driving.
The flurries will gradually end throughout Sunday.
Wild temperature divide
The system will be bringing in mild air to the western Prairies, while reinforcing the cold air for Manitoba. Temperatures will rise well above freezing across central and southern Alberta and southwestern Saskatchewan on Saturday.
A 17°C temperature difference is forecast from Calgary to Winnipeg, with a more dramatic spread of 32°C from Lethbridge to Churchill!
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Much colder-than-seasonal temperatures are forecast across Saskatchewan and Manitoba for Sunday and into Monday before mild Pacific air gradually spreads west to east across the region during midweek.
Frigid weather will return late next week and weekend, and will dominate for the rest of January and into February as cross polar flow resumes.
