Environment Canada issued a mid-spring Special Weather Statement today for much of the Lakeland area and northern Alberta.
The statement is a reminder that spring often brings unsettled weather — meaning a mix of rain and snow with temperatures below freezing are in store.
From Environment Canada:
Active spring weather continues across most of Alberta bringing a mix of rain and snow.
A large area of rain and thunderstorms has developed in a band west to east across central Alberta, including the Edmonton Metropolitan Region. This rain will become mixed with wet snow tonight and will transition completely to snow by Wednesday morning. Snow will then move southward and taper off through the day Wednesday.
Rain: Total amounts of 20 to 40 mm from Grande Prairie, through Edmonton and up to Fort McMurray before transitioning to snow tonight.
Snow: In general, total amounts are expected to be less than 2 cm across central Alberta. Areas near the Saskatchewan border between Cold Lake and Fort McMurray are likely to see 5 cm overnight. To the west, areas along the northern Rockies and foothills may see up to 10 cm of heavy, wet snow. The heaviest snow is expected to fall in the Grande Cache and Kakwa Provincial Park areas.
Areas falling under the current weather statement include:
- Co. of St. Paul near Ashmont St. Vincent and St. Lina
- Co. of St. Paul near Elk Point and St. Edouard
- Co. of St. Paul near Lindbergh and Frog Lake
- Co. of St. Paul near St. Paul and Lafond
- Improvement District 349 including Cold Lake Air Weapons Range
- Lac La Biche Co. near Fork Lake
- Lac La Biche Co. near Heart Lake
- Lac La Biche Co. near Lac La Biche and Square Lake
- Lac La Biche Co. near Lakeland Prov. Park and Rec. Area
- Lac La Biche Co. near Plamondon Hylo and Avenir
- M.D. of Bonnyville near Beaverdam
- M.D. of Bonnyville near Bonnyville Ardmore and Kehewin Res.
- M.D. of Bonnyville near Cold Lake and City of Cold Lake
- M.D. of Bonnyville near Fishing Lake Smt
- M.D. of Bonnyville near Glendon and Moose Lake
- M.D. of Bonnyville near La Corey Wolf Lake and Truman
- Smoky Lake Co. near Buffalo Lake and Kikino Smts
- Smoky Lake Co. near Vilna Saddle Lake and Whitefish Lake
Cool weather with steady precipitation hangs over the Lakeland for much of the coming week.
The good news?
There is some. Environment Canada's long-range forecast shows sunny conditions returning on Friday, just in time for the May Long Weekend, with temperatures nearing 20 for Friday, Saturday and Sunday highs. Overnight lows do drop down to the low single digits, however.
