Josh Classen's forecast: Storm system slams through with rain, snow, wind and dropping temps
Winter storm update: It’s going to get worse.
After an icy commute this morning, weather and driving conditions will get worse later today and the drive home could be extremely treacherous.
Authorities are advising against highway travel in much of central and north-central Alberta. Side streets, sidewalks and parking lots are coated in ice.
However, most of the main roads in Edmonton are just wet and slushy and should stay that way through the early afternoon hours.
BUT…the rain will change over to snow this afternoon and we’ll pick up a couple centimetres of heavy, wet snow in the Edmonton area by 9 or 10 p.m.
We’re also expecting gusts in the 50-60 km/h range this afternoon and tonight. So, blowing snow will significantly reduce visibility during the evening commute.
On top of that, temperatures will start dropping after about 4pm. So, the freeze-over on the main roads will begin.
The precipitation ends tonight and the gusty wind will taper off by early Tuesday morning. However, with temperatures around -20 C Tuesday morning, the morning drive Tuesday will be far from ideal as most (if not all) roads will be iced over.
This morning's blog:
It's going to be an UGLY couple of days on roads and sidewalks.
The worst of the storm hits the Edmonton area today, but the impact will be felt right into Tuesday as temperatures TANK and everything that's wet this afternoon becomes icy by late tonight/Tuesday morning.
A potent low pressure system is diving across the province and a nasty cold front will sweep through behind that system this afternoon/evening.
For Edmonton:
A winter storm warning is in effect.
We're getting rain and freezing rain this morning.
Remember: They're the same...the only difference is what happens when they hit the ground.
So, we can have both occurring at the same time in different areas/neighbourhoods.
Treat it all as if it's freezing on contact though.
The rain turns to snow at some point this afternoon and by late afternoon the wind starts to gust.
At the same time, temperatures start to tumble and the freeze-over begins/continues.
So, you're going to have wet/slushy roads turning icy and getting polished up by the gusty wind.
PLUS - blowing snow will be significantly reducing visibility.
If you can stay off highways today and early Tuesday, that's the safest bet. If you NEED to travel, check conditions before heading out and give yourself extra time.
By Tuesday morning, EVERYTHING is iced over and it'll be a slow commute in the morning.
We should be in the -20 C range Tuesday morning and we'll likely only get to the mid minus teens for daytime highs Tuesday/Wednesday.
Temperatures probably drop close to -30 C by Wednesday morning!
BUT...we start to warm up Wednesday night and we're back around zero by Thursday afternoon.
Elsewhere:
Northwest and west Alberta have snowfall mornings. About 10-20 centimetres of snow will fall through the day with the heaviest amounts hitting areas between Grande Prairie and Whitecourt, as well as the mountain parks.
The winter storm warning (for a combo of snow and freezing rain) extends west to east across Alberta along and around Highway 16.
Wind warnings are in effect for Red Deer/Coronation areas and across the rest of southern Alberta.
Red Deer and area won't see heavy snow. BUT, blowing snow will be an issue later today.
Stay tuned for updates throughout the day.
Here's the forecast for Edmonton:
Today - Cloudy with periods of rain, freezing rain and rain/snow mix this morning.
Snow developing this afternoon. 2 to 4 cm possible by late tonight.
Wind becoming NW 30 gusting to 60 late this afternoon.
High: 1
Tonight - Snow ending by late evening. Wind gusting all night.
9pm: -10
Tuesday - Clearing early in the morning. Sunny with a few clouds in the afteroon.
Morning Low: -20
Afternoon High: -15
Wednesday - Mainly sunny.
Morning Low: -28
Afternoon High: -14
Temperature rising overnight.
Thursday - Mix of sun & cloud.
Morning Low: -10
Afternoon High: 2
Friday - Partly cloudy.
Morning Low: -5
Afternoon High: 1
Saturday - Partly cloudy.
Morning Low: -6
Afternoon High: 2
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
Blind Sask. boy heading to international braille competition hopes to increase accessibility for visually impaired
A Saskatchewan boy who qualified for an international braille competition in Los Angeles next month hopes he can inspire change in his home province.
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.