Snowfall warnings in Alberta, with heavy rain also making up for lost time
Rain, snow and thunderstorms will pepper Alberta and Saskatchewan in the new week of May
Rain has finally returned to the Prairies after an extreme and dangerous beginning to the wildfire season.
Monday will see the much-needed rain spread across the western Prairies, along with a threat for severe thunderstorms in Alberta and Saskatchewan through the overnight period, with May snowfall warnings issued in Alberta’s Rockies, as well. Drivers are urged to prepare for the quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions as the snow picks up.
"If visibility is reduced while driving, turn on your lights and maintain a safe following distance," says Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) in the warning.
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Heavy snow prompts warnings in Alberta
Travellers at higher elevations near Kananaskis, and along Highway 93 battled the heavy, wet snow through Monday. The most snow is expected at elevations above 1600 m.
By Tuesday morning, white capped mountains are expected, as freezing levels dip below 1800 m.
Thunderstorm threat covers southern Alberta and Saskatchewan, but with much-needed rain
A storm will slowly circle over central and southern Alberta on Monday, with the south already waking up to severe thunderstorm warnings early Monday morning.
You can expect persistent rainfall west of the QE2 throughout through much of the day on Monday, before gradually easing as Tuesday morning hits.
Significant totals are expected, with between 20 to 30 mm forecast for Calgary, and higher towards Red Deer and Hinton. Localized totals could reach between 30-50 mm into Tuesday.
This could be accompanied by both embedded and isolated thunderstorms in Alberta, which would bump up rainfall totals, as well.
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The greater chance for severe thunderstorms will span across central Saskatchewan later Monday, especially for areas north and west of Saskatoon. In addition to the rain, strong wind gusts and large hail are risks with storms that develop.
More and storms to come on Wednesday
And it doesn’t stop there.
An active pattern persists on Wednesday, with more rain forecast to develop by the afternoon hours.
A storm descending from the north will bring additional rain showers and embedded thunder from Fort McMurray, Alta., to the foothills in the south.
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May rainfall severely lacking so far
As of May 11, Calgary airport has not reported any sort of rainfall.
May is typically the third rainiest month of the year for the region, coming in behind June and July.
While there is still a lot of rain needed to get Calgary back on track, this week will certainly help to make up some ground and lost time for this month.
Be sure to check back for the latest weather updates across the Prairies.