Alberta faces rare summer snow and another soaking as temperatures drop
Unseasonably cold weather will bring mountain snow, heavy rain and icy conditions to parts of the province.
A powerful shift in Alberta's summer weather is underway, with a developing trough bringing plunging temperatures, heavy rain and even mid-summer snowfall to some areas.
While the workweek begins wet for many in the Prairies, conditions will cool sharply by Tuesday, with temperatures expected to fall 10 to 15 degrees below seasonal in central and southern Alberta.
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Summer snow sneaks into Alberta's mountains
That cooldown will be sufficient to start accumulating snow in the Rockies, particularly in elevations above 2,000 metres.
The Jasper region and Icefields Parkway are likely targets, with snow forecast just 60 km west of Calgary in the higher elevations near Banff.
Travellers and outdoor workers in these areas should prepare for locally slippery conditions, with a reminder that summer snow in Alberta's mountains, while uncommon, is not unheard of.
Calgary's soggy July continues
Further south, steady precipitation is expected to drench Alberta's lower elevations.
Calgary could see 20 to 30 mm of rainfall between Monday night and Tuesday morning, adding to a month that has already received 100 mm — far exceeding the July average of 66 mm.
Other estimated totals:
Red Deer: 15-20mm
Lethbridge and Medicine Hat: 10-15 mm
Edmonton: 5–10 mm
Fort McMurray: less than 2 mm
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Ponding water and reduced visibility may have an impact on driving, particularly in areas where rain coincides with slippery mountain roads.
The majority of the rainfall is expected to end by Tuesday morning as the trough moves east.