Are the Prairies bidding adieu to winter finally with impending warmth?
Has spring finally decided to stay sprung on the Prairies? Or, will wintry weather sneak in another shot?
An upcoming warm stretch may have people thinking the winter weather is finally over on the Prairies, but seasoned residents know the real truth––even if they don't want to admit it.
In fact, the latest recorded accumulating snowfall on the Prairies goes to Calgary, which once recorded 5+ cm of snowfall on June 26. Coming in a close second is Red Deer, Alta., and Brandon, Man., having both seen 5+ cm of snow in early June.
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After a hefty 20 cm of springtime snow fell over parts of Alberta through Wednesday and Thursday, we're now looking at a quick turnaround in seasons on the weekend.
Mild air will be ushered into the western Prairies over the weekend, raising temperatures that will last through next week.
Folks on the eastern Prairies will have to be a little more patient for the warmth, as a persistent northwesterly wind will keep the mild air at bay through the weekend and early next week. Don't worry, though, you'll be getting a taste of double-digit temperatures soon.
Saskatchewan and Manitoba communities experience first double-digit days since November
Many Albertans have already had a taste of warm temperatures this season during multiple bouts of double-digit highs thanks to warm Pacific air and southern lows. Some southern Alberta communities even saw the thermometer reach 20°C in late March thanks to a clipper system dragging in warm air from across the border.
On the other hand, some Saskatchewan and Manitoba communities have yet to feel the spring warmth this year.
The last time Saskatoon and Regina saw temperatures reach at least 10°C was on Nov. 9, 2024. Similarly, Brandon, Man., hasn't seen those temperatures since Nov. 13.
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Winnipeg managed to just recently squeak into the 10°C on March 11 but hasn't seen those temperatures since.
Next week we could see that all change, though, with temperatures rising to well above 10 degrees by the end of the week.
Don't count winter weather out just yet
As the Sun continues to rise higher in the sky, however, we will also be seeing average daytime temperatures continue to rise. By mid-April, we should see average daytime highs of 10°C across the Prairies.
That doesn't mean we'll be seeing temperatures sit at 10°C for the rest of spring, though; we could still see some wintry weather and below-seasonal temperatures sneak in.
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Calgary has only seen six years since 1885 (140 years) where there was no accumulating snow recorded at all in the month of April. Slightly farther north, Edmonton has only seen one year since 1961 (64 years) with no accumulating snow in April.
In fact, the latest recorded accumulating snowfall on the Prairies goes to Calgary, which once recorded 5+ cm of snowfall on June 26. Coming in a close second are Red Deer, Alta., and Brandon, Man., having both seen 5+ cm of snow in early June.
Stay with The Weather Network for more forecast updates and information on your weather across the Prairies.