Josh Classen's forecast: Snowfall warning today, then an end to the cold spell this weekend

Edmonton and area is under a snowfall warning that extends northwest toward the Grande Prairie/Hinton areas, south towards Red Deer and ESE towards the Lloydminster and Medicine Hat regions.

In general, 10-15 cm is expected within the warning zone, but there are some spots between Coronation and Medicine Hat that could see a bit more.

For Edmonton...8-12 cm looks likely with the heaviest snow falling through the first half of the day and then snow tapering off this afternoon and evening.

Wind speeds near 15 km/h through this morning will back off by midday.

Temperatures should hold steady around -18 C for most of the day.

Extreme cold warnings are in effect across northern Alberta this morning as temperatures have dropped into the -30s in many areas and although the wind isn't much stronger than 5-15 km/h, wind chill is near -40 in a few spots.

Temperatures should climb slightly through the day, but Thursday morning could see temperatures in the -30s and wind chill near -40 in northeastern Alberta.

The cold spell continues through Thursday and Friday morning in the Edmonton area.

We'll have mornings near -20 C both days. Afternoon temperatures get to the -15 C range Thursday and then around -10 C Friday afternoon.

Saturday's the winter solstice, the official start of winter and the shortest "day" of the year.

It's also the day we get back to around average (high near -5 C).

A warming trend kicks in for early next week and daytime highs will be right around 0 C for Mon-Fri of next week.

Sunday's still a little uncertain, but we'll be somewhere between 0 and -5 C for an afternoon high.

So...we get a snow day today and possibly a bit of light snow early Friday morning.

But, get through to the weekend and it looks like we'll get into a sunnier and warmer pattern.

 

Here's the forecast for Edmonton and area:

Today - 8 to 12 cm of snow. Snow, heavy at times in the morning.

Snow tapering off late in the afternoon.

Temperature steady near -18 through most of the day.

 

Tonight - 30% chance of flurries this evening, cloudy overnight.

9pm: -19

 

Thursday - Mix of sun & cloud.

Morning Low: -20

Afternoon High: -16

 

Friday - Mostly cloudy. 30% chance of flurries or light snow in the morning.

Morning Low: -18

Afternoon High: -9

 

Saturday - Mix of sun & cloud.

WINTER SOLSTICE

Morning Low: -16

Afternoon High: -5

 

Sunday - Partly cloudy.

Morning Low: -14

Afternoon High: -3

 

Monday - Partly cloudy.

Morning Low: -10

Afternoon High: 0