Alberta Braces for Snow and Cold This Christmas Season

Frigid temperatures and heavy snowfall are set to impact Alberta and other regions of Western Canada this Christmas, according to Environment Canada. The agency issued advisories warning residents to prepare for a snowy Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, with travel conditions expected to worsen.

Central Alberta could see accumulations of up to 20 cm of snow by the morning of December 25, particularly around Edmonton. Drivers are urged to reconsider travel plans due to anticipated poor road conditions. A significant band of snow is expected to move northward across southern Alberta, starting early on December 24. The Yellowhead Highway corridor, connecting Jasper, Edmonton, and Lloydminster, is forecasted to receive the highest snowfall.

The advisory extends to parts of British Columbia, where snowfall warnings are active for multiple highways. A frontal system approaching from Washington state is expected to bring snow to southwestern B.C., intensifying throughout Christmas Eve. Accumulations of up to 15 cm are predicted along sections of the Coquihalla Highway from Hope to Kamloops, with around 10 cm possible in the Fraser Canyon area.

Cold warnings are also in effect across parts of Manitoba, Alberta, and Saskatchewan, where wind chills may reach between -45 and -50 C. The extreme cold has led to record-breaking temperatures in the Yukon, where Faro recorded a chilling -52.2 C, surpassing the previous record of -43.5 C set on December 23, 2022.

According to Derek Lee, a meteorologist with Environment Canada, the Arctic air mass has been settling over the Yukon for the past week. He noted that while the extreme cold is expected to persist through Christmas Eve, changes are on the horizon. “We are looking to see some systems roll through Yukon in the next coming days, which will bring moisture and cloud cover, helping to raise temperatures slightly,” he explained.

Forecasts indicate that cloud cover will move across the territory from north to south, potentially trapping warmer air. Nonetheless, the overall cold trend will remain a significant factor during the holiday period.

Residents across Western Canada are advised to stay informed about weather updates and take precautions when traveling during this wintry spell. With significant snowfall and low temperatures expected, a cautious approach is essential for ensuring safety on the roads this festive season.