Snow and cold in the forecast for the long weekend
If you're planning to go out of town for the Family Day long weekend, the weather gods bear mixed gifts: the cold will continue with some areas of Alberta under extreme cold or snowfall warnings, but ski hills are rejoicing.
As of Thursday morning, Environment Canada says Calgary could see between five and 10 centimetres of snow on Friday, with high temperatures hovering around –15 C over the weekend.
Family Day Monday should see a relatively balmy high of –11 C.
As of noon Thursday, most of the extreme cold warnings had been called down in northern and southern Alberta, but east-central Alberta will continue to freeze.
Snowfall warnings remain in place for the areas around Pincher Creek, Crowsnest Pass, Waterton Lakes National Park, Cardston, Fort Macleod and Magrath.
Meanwhile, Alberta ski hills are expecting good conditions for the Family Day long weekend.
"Snow tomorrow!" Lake Louise Ski Resort posted online on Thursday, saying it has already received 10 centimetres of new snow earlier in the week. "With forecasts calling for more snow tomorrow and Saturday, this Family Day long weekend is going to be amazing."
Castle Mountain said it's got a whopping 53 centimetres in the past seven days, mostly since Tuesday.
"Once again, snow gods are blessing us with their love on this Valentine's Day & we are expected to see another decent snowfall tonight...YEOOOOOW!" Castle posted on its website.
