PHOTOS: Wintry weather pays Western Canada a surprise Thanksgiving visit
An upper atmospheric pattern that has dominated Canada during the Thanksgiving long weekend has aided in bringing the first significant snowfall of the season to some areas in Alberta and B.C.
The pattern consisted of a very deep trough oriented over both provinces, contrasting with a prominent upper ridge that has essentially stretched from the Gulf of Mexico up into Eastern Canada. This is part of the reason why areas have been able to hold onto summer-like, and in some cases, record-breaking warmth.
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It is a much different story across the West, where high-elevation snow was not incredibly out of the ordinary, especially considering the time of year. Temperatures at the surface, however, were falling low enough as Pacific moisture was spilling over to allow for light snow in lower elevations and city centres across Alberta including in Calgary Sunday.
In B.C., the mountain passes were hit with accumulating snow, with some areas forecast to receive 5-20 cm on the weekend. This generated snowfall warnings and special weather statements that alerted to the potential travel disruptions.
Along with the snow, temperatures have dipped into the single digits in parts of Alberta and B.C. this weekend, and Monday overnight lows will get even chillier for both provinces -- dipping into the minus digits for a good portion.
Visuals of the Alberta and B.C. snowfall started popping up on social media after the flakes started falling. Below is a selection of what is circulating online.
ALBERTA
B.C.
Thumbnail courtesy of Brad Atchison/Twitter, taken at Trophy Mountain in Wells Gray Provincial Park, B.C.
