Winter storm to bring 40 cm of snow to some southern Alberta regions this weekend

Snow and cold are coming to Alberta for the weekend, and Environment Canada has winter storm and snowfall warnings in place across the southern part of the province to prove it. (Environment Canada)

Calgary — It's going to be a snowy weekend in southern Alberta as a winter storm is expected to bring up to 40 centimetres of snow to some regions of the province.

Environment Canada has winter storm warnings in place for several southern Alberta regions, as well as a few snowfall warnings that caution the "long duration snowfall event" is expected to kick off Thursday afternoon.

"We're caught between arctic air pushing in from the north, and a low-pressure center pumping moisture in from the southwest," said CTV Calgary meterologist Kevin Stanfield. "That arctic air is our dominant temperature purveyor, and we can expect some tremendous chill from it."

Winter storm warnings are currently in place for:

According to Environment Canada, hazardous winter weather conditions are expected to start Thursday evening, with up to 40 centimetres of snow expected to fall by Saturday evening.

"The heaviest snow is likely working in Friday evening and Saturday morning, trailing off late Saturday afternoon," Stanfield said.

Snowfall warnings

As of Thursday morning, Calgary is one of several regions currently under a snowfall warning. According to Environment Canada, the city and surrounding areas are expected to see between 10 to 20 centimentres of snow.

"Calgary's snowfall total is still somewhat 'up in the air,' as upslope flow, (the force of wind guiding snow up the Rockies, only to have that same band cool and precipitate further) is a trigger point for this," Stanfield said.

As far as Calgary goes, Stanfield said a low-ball estimate is close to 12 centimetres, with high-ended models projecting up to 25 centimetres.

"With upslope flow as the main concern, it’s not out of the question that 25 cm is surpassed as this band works in tomorrow, then back out again Saturday evening."

Snowfall warnings are currently in place for:

Cold coming too

According to CTV meterologist David Spence, snow isn't really the big story with this storm.

"It will be very cold, and the wind will be strong," he said. "This will lead to high wind chill and blowing snow."

By Saturday morning, wind chill in the Calgary and Canmore areas is forecast to make outside temperatures feel like between –30 C and –40 C, with exposed skin freezing in only 20 to 30 minutes.

However, Spence said warmer and drier weather will return on Sunday.

Environment Canada advises people to monitor all alerts and forecasts and report severe weather conditions by emailing [e-mail] or tweet using the hashtag #abstorm.