Snow odds ramp up on the Prairies as chilly pattern arrives

Welcome to November! A chilly pattern descending on the Prairies this weekend will set the stage for accumulating snow across parts of Alberta and Saskatchewan heading into next week.

It’s still too early to provide specifics on precipitation types and accumulation totals. But we can see which communities should remain on alert for their first significant snowfall of the season in the days ahead.

DON’T MISS: Snowy surprises can blanket Canada during a typical November

Prairies chilly pattern
Prairies chilly pattern

Cooler air will arrive on the Prairies beginning Sunday, with this pattern expected to last into next week. A low-pressure system slated to slide over the Rockies on Monday and into Tuesday will provide the moisture and lift needed for widespread precipitation to fall across the Prairies.

Freezing levels in the mountains will fluctuate around 300-800 metres between Monday and Wednesday, dropping to the valley floor in Alberta by Wednesday morning.

Prairies precipitation forecast Tuesday morning
Prairies precipitation forecast Tuesday morning

Accumulating snow is possible through much of central Alberta on Monday, stretching into Saskatchewan through Tuesday. Cold air wrapping behind the low on Wednesday morning will likely bring only snowfall to the region.

The big question right now surrounds the storm’s precise track, which will determine which communities see accumulating snow and just how much falls. Communities on the northern side of that low-pressure system—especially around Edmonton—stand the best chance of seeing snow. Warmer air on the southern side of the storm will bring rain or a wintry mix.

Stay tuned and keep checking back through the weekend as forecasters hammer out the details and the storm’s precise track becomes clearer.

WATCH: How much snow does November typically bring Canada?

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