Heavy rain, rising rivers prompts safety warnings in Calgary

Calgary is bracing for a stretch of heavy rain and fast‑moving rivers as a major weather system moves into Alberta Saturday.

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) updated its special weather statement, saying 30 to 60 millimetres of rain is expected over the next roughly five days in the city. A rainfall warning says some areas in the province will potentially receive up to 100 millimetres.

Rain will begin Saturday night or early Sunday and become heavy at times, especially in central Alberta and along the Foothills, and continue into mid‑week before easing Tuesday night or Wednesday.

“So what we’re going to see is a shift and some more instability moving in, and a system developing which will be bringing in prolonged rainfall and heavy rainfall for much of central and southern Alberta, including Calgary,” says ECCC scientist Christy Climenhaga.

The incoming rainfall is expected to raise river levels in Calgary, where the Fire Department has already issued a boating advisory for the Bow and Elbow Rivers.

The Bow is already moving faster than the recommended limit for boating, floating, or swimming, according to the city. The Elbow River is also expected to rise further as the rain arrives.

“The lower visibility within the water can create a lot of risk,” says Alex Kwan with the Calgary Fire Department. “What we tend to see with this fast-moving water is that people will move much quicker than we anticipate, so where the point of entry is that someone called in, the patient can be significantly farther downstream by the time our crews arrive.”

City officials say widespread overbank flooding is not anticipated, but localized flooding remains possible. High, fast-moving water can erode riverbanks, submerge pathways, and hide hazards underwater. The City is urging Calgarians to use caution near the rivers.

The city says a boating advisory is triggered when the Bow River flow exceeds 280 cubic metres per second at the Elbow River confluence. Crews will continue to monitor conditions.

Upstream, flooding is already affecting low‑lying areas in and around Banff, where a flood watch remains in effect near Lake Louise for the Pipestone and Bow rivers. Trails and picnic areas along the Bow River in Banff are already underwater, and levels could rise by up to 30 centimetres into next week.

A high streamflow advisory is also in place for the Bow River upstream of Banff, through the townsite, and downstream to the Ghost Reservoir.

Officials in Banff, Canmore and Kananaskis Country are urging residents and visitors to stay off riverbanks and avoid all water activities as fast‑moving water continues to pose a serious risk.

ECCC is encouraging Albertans to monitor forecasts closely, prepare for potential impacts, and consider postponing outdoor plans as the system moves through.

The current weather conditions and extended forecast for Calgary can be found here.