Environment Canada Warns Calgary of 20 cm Snow Before Long Weekend
Environment Canada issued a special weather statement warning that snow could reach Calgary by Saturday morning, with travel heading into the long weekend facing winter-like conditions. The heaviest snow is expected Saturday, and the city could see up to 15 centimetres, according to 660 NewsRadio meteorologist Kevin Stanfield.
The statement covers the mountain parks and Foothills, where Environment Canada said up to 20 centimetres could fall over higher elevations and along Highway 1 west of Calgary. Stanfield said, "Showers will transition through the overnight on Saturday, becoming snow showers," as temperatures fall from a Friday high around 15 C to about 4 C on Saturday.
Calgary and Highway 1
The timing is the main concern for motorists leaving for the May long weekend, which is the unofficial start of summer for many travelers and includes Victoria Day on Monday. Snow is expected to begin Friday night or early Saturday, then spread into Calgary by Saturday morning.
That puts the first day of the holiday stretch in the middle of the storm window. Drivers heading toward the mountains may face slower travel and rapidly changing weather, especially on Highway 1 west of Calgary where the higher totals are expected.
Kevin Stanfield’s Forecast
Stanfield’s estimate for the city is lower than the maximum Environment Canada is projecting west of Calgary. Calgary could get up to 15 centimetres, while the higher elevations and nearby mountain routes could receive up to 20 centimetres.
The difference matters for anyone deciding whether to leave early or wait until later in the weekend. A few kilometres can separate rain in the city from heavier snow west of Calgary, and the statement points to the mountain parks, Foothills, and Highway 1 as the areas most likely to see the strongest impact.
Weekend Weather Shift
Friday is expected to stay mild before the changeover, and double-digit temperatures are expected to return heading into next week. The sharp drop to a Saturday daytime high near 4 C leaves only a short window between spring conditions and snow-covered roads.
For people traveling out of Calgary, the safest plan is to treat Saturday as the most difficult travel day in the forecast and to expect conditions to vary quickly once the snow begins.
