First snowfall of the season to hit Calgary Monday

A blast of cooler air is on the way for the province of Alberta, and Calgary appears to be in for its first real taste of winter on Monday.

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) meteorologist Erin Staunton says a low-pressure system will invade the province this weekend, and soon after some snow on the way for Calgary.

“We have a low developing in Alberta on Sunday, and then as it crosses the prairies, as it moves out of Alberta, it’s going to pull some cold air in down behind it,” she told 660 NewsRadio.

“And we start seeing that snow flying. It is going to be quite a change.”

By Monday morning, Calgarians can expect some snowfall. The ECCC said Sunday there may be a brief period of rain before it turns to snow. This is expected to start along the Highway 2 corridor, and then move east through the day.

It also cautions drivers to prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions.

But it’s not all snowy news, as Staunton says the weekend will be a mild one.

“Temperatures [expected] in the Calgary area are up in the high teens, which is several degrees above average for this time of year,” she explained.

Sunday’s forecast is calling for a high of 17 C, while Monday’s will see only a high of 2 C.

Of course, as Staunton points out, “We are into October. This is certainly not unprecedented for the Calgary area.”

As for snowfall, the amounts will vary.

Staunton says a few centimetres might fall Monday, with some of it melting on contact, and any leftover likely not to last long. Although it’s already falling in higher elevations in the Rockies.

“We may well be back into double digits by later in the week,” she said.

The ECCC says the snow may stick to the ground before the snow tapers off Monday night.