Josh Classen's forecast: Our annual January warm spell continues

Downtown Edmonton is seen in this aerial photo taken on Dec. 5, 2024. (Cam Wiebe / CTV News Edmonton)

We're in the midst of a big warm-up that has daytime highs above 0 C for the past six days and it looks like we'll get four more days of warmth before some cold air slams back in.

Daytime highs near 5 C are expected for today, Tuesday and Wednesday in the city and a degree or two above 0 C again Thursday.

That's (obviously) WELL above average for mid-January. The long-term average high for this time of year is around -6 C.

BUT...it's not at all unusual to get one or more warm spells like this in January. In fact, it happens almost every year.

Days above 0 C in January (past 10 years):

• 2024: 8 days
• 2023: 9 days
• 2022: 17 days
• 2021: 17 days
• 2020: 13 days
• 2019: 13 days
• 2018: 10 days
• 2017: 12 days
• 2016: 10 days
• 2015: 15 days

 

On average, we're seeing MORE above-0 C January days, but even back in the 60s and 70s we would get a handful of days above the freezing mark.

Average number of days above 0 C in January in Edmonton:

• Past 10 years (2015-2024): 12 days
• 1991-2020: 10 days
• 1981-2010: 10 days
• 1971-2000: 8 days
• 1961-1990: 8 days

 

Brace for a big drop in temperature starting Friday in Edmonton and that may be preceded by some snow on Thursday (possibly mixed with some rain).

Temperatures will likely be in the mid minus teens for daytime highs Saturday and Sunday, so we could see drop of more than 20 degrees from today to Saturday.

The cold spell shouldn't last too long. It'll likely linger into Monday (maybe Tuesday) and then break.

 

Here's the forecast for Edmonton and area:

Today - Sunny with a few clouds.

High: 4

 

Tonight - A few clouds.

9pm: 1

 

Tuesday - Partly cloudy.

Morning Low: -4

Afternoon High: 6

 

Wednesday - Mix of sun & cloud.

Morning Low: 0

Afternoon High: 4

 

Thursday - Mostly cloudy. 60% chance of snow. Windy.

Morning Low: -3

Afternoon High: 2

 

Friday - 40% chance of snow in the morning. Mostly cloudy. Windy.

Temperature falling

Morning: -9

Afternoon: -12

 

Saturday - Partly cloudy.

Morning Low: -20

Afternoon High: -17