Warnings persist as high winds, heavy snow hit the Prairies
Some areas will see 50+ cm of accumulation from this storm through Sunday
Steady snowfall will continue for a wide swath of the Prairies as a blustery low-pressure system continues trekking across the region.
Calgary picked up measurable snowfall early Friday. Additional accumulations are likely toward the east, with some areas on the northern Prairies picking up as much as 50 cm of snow.
Warnings remain in effect for both high winds and winter storm conditions.
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The large low-pressure system responsible for the early dose of wintry weather will continue lifting north as we head into Saturday, bringing heavy snowfall to the north and blowing snow to southern regions.
Wind gusts of 50-80+ km/h will persist through Saturday across Saskatchewan and Manitoba, easing into the overnight hours.
Sudden reductions in visibility are expected late Friday into early Saturday across southern Saskatchewan as brief but intense snowfall accompanies the gusty winds in the region.
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High snowfall rates will continue into the weekend across northern portions of Saskatchewan and Manitoba, including Cree Lake and Black Lake. These areas will likely see 20-50+ cm of accumulation by the end of the storm.
A dramatic temperature drop will follow the storm. Winnipeg will drop from readings in the lower 20s on Friday afternoon to below the freezing mark by Sunday evening.
Temperatures will come in 5-10 degrees below normal by Sunday, with Calgary expecting a daytime high temperature of just 0°C.
Additional snowfall is possible in Alberta on Sunday as moisture arrives from British Columbia and a favourable setup develops for upsloping snow. Accumulations will remain on the lighter side, and confined to the Rockies and foothills.
Stay with The Weather Network for all the latest on conditions across the Prairies.