Heavy snow in the forecast for Southern Alberta

By Al Beeber - Lethbridge Herald on January 17, 2024.

Herald photo by Al Beeber A runner gets in some exercise as temperatures warmed and skies cleared Tuesday. But by mid-afternoon snow had begun falling with heavy accumulations expected here on Wednesday.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDabeeber@lethbridgeherald.com

Just when you may have thought Mother Nature was giving us a break, it’s time to bring out the snow shovels and snowblowers.

When many are still waiting for tow trucks and furnace repairs, southern Albertans should brace for another onslaught of wintry weather.

But this time the problem could be not cold temperatures, or frigid weather alone, but much-needed snow.

The Weather Network on Tuesday said that after record-breaking cold, some areas in Alberta could see up to 35 centimetres of snow this week.

Snow was expected to start tracking from northern Alberta south yesterday with heavy amounts of it expected near Claresholm and Lethbridge.

The Weather Network says between 20-35 centimetres of the white stuff is in the forecast for some areas.

The forecast for Lethbridge called for an 80 per cent chance of 10-15 centimetres during the day and 5-10 cm tonight with snowfall heavy at times in the early evening.

“Wednesday commute times will be affected, especially south of Calgary,” says the Weather Network.

The Weather Network said visibility can be suddenly reduced at times and surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become difficult to navigate due to accumulating show.

While Tuesday’s high in the city was predicted to be a balmy – by recent standards – -7C, today’s high is only predicted to be -15. And while that may provide some continued relief from the cold snap, we can expect substantial snowfall. That snow started falling yesterday afternoon and was expected to continue through the evening.

By 5 p.m., vehicles parked downtown were being covered by the white stuff as the snowfall became heavier.

However, the snow will be short-lived with a return to partly sunny skies on Thursday with a high of -18 and a low of -31. Temperatures will be more moderate starting Friday and heading into the weekend when Lethbridge residents can expect the mercury to dip no lower than -7C at night on Saturday and -4C Sunday.

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