Strong winds are expected throughout the day on Friday, prompting yellow-level wind warnings from Environment and Climate Change Canada. “Strong winds gusting between 90 and 100 km/h are expected this afternoon and evening.” The national weather agency anticipates these intense, sustained wind speeds and strong wind gusts may impact travel at the start of the weekend. “Driving conditions will likely be difficult. Damage to roofs, fences, branches, or soft shelters is possible.” As of 5:30 a.m., wind gusts in Pincher Creek unofficially reached speeds over 90 km/h. Calgary and the surrounding communities north, south, and west - including Airdrie, Cochrane, and Okotoks - are all under the wind warning. Sustained wind speeds of 30 to 50 km/h are likely for most of the day in Calgary on Friday with stronger gusts expected. Widespread special weather statements have been issued across central British Columbia with ECCC explaining, “A strong low pressure system is approaching the B.C. coast and is bringing a prolonged period of southeast winds with gusts ranging from 60-80 km/h to the B.C. interior.” Also, “A potentially stronger storm is set to follow on Saturday evening. Local utility outages are possible. Parks and forests may sustain damage. Secure loose objects.” Despite the wind – ambient temperatures will remain warm, with daytime highs around central and southern Alberta forecast to sit in the low to mid-double-digits for the next few days. Similar to Thursday, the wind will make it feel slightly cooler than the ambient temperature, so if you do have to spend time outdoors – dress in layers. The main driver for these above seasonal temperatures is persistent westerly flow – bringing warmer Pacific air into British Columbia. There is a good amount of moisture embedded in that air mass and yellow-level rainfall warnings have been issued along the western coastline. Rain, snow, and mixed precipitation will fall throughout southern British Columbia – including along the Trans-Canada corridor into Alberta on Friday, but most of that snow should land on the western slops and in higher elevations rather than east of the Alberta foothills. As per the weather statement from ECCC, Sunday will bring the second wave of unsettled weather into B.C. when another low-pressure system tracks across that province. Heavy, wet snow is likely to fall in the same areas as on Friday – and while most of that moisture will stay on the B.C. side of the range, this second wave will produce some measurable accumulations in Alberta as well. Southern Alberta will notice stronger wind speeds again on Sunday – including in Calgary, before cooler air briefly floods into the region. Calgary’s daytime high on Monday should peak around 9 C compared to 13 C on Sunday and 12 C on Tuesday. At this point the Remembrance Day forecast in Calgary looks promising, with a daytime high of 15 C under mainly cloudy conditions. Overnight lows will remain above seasonal (and above freezing) in Calgary until the middle of November, ranging from 1 C to 7 C from Friday until the end of next week.
