Achi news desk-
Heavy, wet snow turned to slush in many communities, including Calgary, early Tuesday.
By mid-morning, most roads were wet as traffic picked up and road crews used melting agents where necessary.
As expected the elevated nature of this large system has produced highly variable precipitation totals – and this is expected to continue with the center of the main low pressure system located along southern Saskatchewan.
The moisture entering the low has been rain and the main source is the south-east Pacific. But since that rain is wrapping around the low it has been encountering colder air from the north and turning into snow.
The counterclockwise rotation associated with this low then drives precipitation through central and southern Alberta and pushes it back against the foothills, and until this system is pushed out the same scenario keeps repeating itself.
Satellite and radar image from April 30, 2024. The white arrows show the direction of flow around the low.
On Monday, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) issued snow warnings west of Calgary and a major special weather statement for Calgary and areas along the foothills.
Those advisories were continued on Tuesday for most communities and even expanded in some areas. Snowfall warnings may be extended further on Tuesday and Wednesday as more forecast certainty emerges.
ECCC issued special weather statements (pink) and snowfall warnings (white) on Tuesday, April 30, 2024.
As of 9 a.m. Tuesday Alberta’s 511 had rated many highways west of Calgary as snow covered and/or icy.
It is likely that cumulative precipitation, types of precipitation, and rates contributed to the measurable impact to travel across those same areas on Tuesday morning. This negative effect is likely to worsen as snow and rain continue throughout the week.
At the same time the 511 Alberta cameras were showing mostly wet roads in southwestern Alberta with snow accumulating west of Calgary along the Trans-Canada Highway.
Daytime highs will remain 9C to 11C below average until Friday, with overnight temperatures closer to seasonal.
In their special weather statement on Tuesday, ECCC noted that precipitation will continue until Thursday morning and multi-day event totals at the high end are expected to measure between 10 and 25 centimeters.
“The highest amounts will fall west of Highway 2. The snow will be heavy and wet, and will be mixed with rain in some areas, so total snow accumulations will vary widely.”
For ECCC’s latest weather advice click here. For the latest road conditions from 511 Alberta click here.
