Major snowfall expected in Calgary this week, starting on first day of spring
Although Tuesday will mark the first day of spring, it seems winter has no intention of going out quietly.
In what Environment Canada calls a “significant change in weather,” unseasonably warm temperatures in parts of southern and western Alberta are to give way to arctic conditions and snow beginning Tuesday.
Temperatures are expected to drop below freezing Tuesday, the national weather forecasting agency said in a special weather statement, with snowfall forecast to start in western and southern regions of Alberta by evening, intensifying Wednesday and continuing through Friday.
“Over 48 hours, snowfall totals of 15 to 25 centimetres are expected for parts of western and southern Alberta,” Environment Canada said in its statement Monday. “Higher amounts are possible over the Eastern Slopes of the Rocky Mountains.”
Snowfall warnings could be issued for certain regions, it said.
Chris Hewitt, manager of mobility maintenance for the city of Calgary, said the forecast has been fairly consistent and the city is prepared for it.
“We have favourable warm weather going into it, so we'll be in salt-operating ranges for the storm.”
Hewitt added city crews will be able to handle the amount of snow expected this week.
“We expect reasonable driving conditions on our major roads; the times that driving conditions become challenging are when you are looking at a large amount of snow over a day or half a day.”
Hewitt advises that people plan their commutes accordingly, giving themselves extra time for trips.
“Make sure the car is cleared off; make sure you're doing a little more stopping distance. We should expect, with a forecast of 15 to 25 centimetres, that we'll have winter driving conditions over the course of the next few days, and so people should certainly prepare for that,” he said.