Spring shows off warmer side on the Prairies with more thunderstorm risks
Is this week's lightning and thunderstorm activity on parts of the Prairies a sign of an early start to the summer season? Well, it's a step forward, but don't write off the potential for more spring flakes just yet.
Parts of the Prairies are starting to show signs of leaving winter behind with a warmer-than-normal pattern dominating this week.
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To complement the warmth, thunderstorms and lightning strikes have hit parts of Alberta and Saskatchewan this week.
The threat will reappear on Wednesday, but any storms that do form should remain below severe warning criteria.
However, don't count out the wintry weather, yet, as April often will yield significant snowfalls for parts of the Prairies.
Thunderstorms pop back up in the forecast on Wednesday
On Wednesday, showers and thunderstorms could impact a larger area of Alberta and Saskatchewan, but will be very isolated along the central and northern foothills, west of Edmonton and southeastern Alberta, extending into Saskatoon and Regina, Sask.
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Thunderstorms will be quite isolated in nature, and will be more of a hit-or-miss type with rain.
Weak instability will favour storms north of Calgary and Edmonton, Alta., however.
There may be a region of high thunderstorm potential that goes unbothered due to the lack of a trigger.
Temperatures continue to remain mild this week, making for a splendid April forecast, but don’t let that fool you as snow is still possible at this time of year.
The bulk of April’s snows are common on the western Prairies, where low-pressure systems can tap into tropical moisture from the south to produce major snowfall events.
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Calgary averages about 21 cm of snow during a normal month.
Be sure to check back for the latest weather updates across the Prairies.