Just as Alberta begins to dig out from its last winter storm, most of the province is preparing for another blast of snow and brutal cold, just in time for the holidays.
As stubborn cold continues to cloak the province, another icy snowstorm is bound for Alberta and expected to hit Christmas Eve.
A series of fresh special weather statements and warnings — forecasting heavy snow and extreme cold — have been issued by Environment Canada for communities across central and northern Alberta.
Snow is expected to begin near Red Deer and spread to the north and northeast through the day, reaching Edmonton and areas near the Saskatchewan border by Wednesday afternoon.
Between 10 and 20 centimetres of snow is expected to fall across the region, beginning late Wednesday morning.
“We have a few more days of snow – or periods of snow — until things calm down,” said Natalie Hasell, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada.
“The snow coming will give that white Christmas to most parts of Alberta, if not all.”
The snow is expected to taper off by Thursday morning but Environment Canada is warning drivers to be prepared for poor road conditions and the agency is urging people to consider adjusting their travel plans as the storm moves in.
The snowstorm is set to arrive as Alberta remains in an extended deep freeze.
Several extreme cold warnings remain in place for communities stretching across the northern half of the province.
Wind chills near minus –40 C are expected Tuesday morning, with afternoon temperatures around –20 C.
A cold front has already settled in across Alberta with afternoon highs in communities such as Fort McMurray and Grande Prairie hovering around –30 C Tuesday.
Hasell said a ridge of high pressure, extending from the far north across the Prairies, is bringing frigid temperatures to Alberta.
In central and southern parts of the province, an influx of moisture from the Pacific, carried by a low pressure system is to blame for the heavy snow, which will be followed by days of frigid cold.
At those temperatures, Environment Canada warns that frostbite can develop within minutes on exposed skin, especially with a wind chill.
She said the extreme weather is expected to make conditions treacherous for drivers and anyone spending time outside.
Both people and pets should remain indoors if possible, and anyone who needs to be outside should dress appropriately and take regular breaks to warm up.
She encouraged travellers to pack an emergency kit, and be prepared for limited visibility, poor road conditions and possible weather delays on city roads and provincial highways.
Everyone is at risk of exposure and she urged Albertans to look out for each other in the days ahead and call for help if someone appears to be in distress.
“It’s a good time to be that vigilant person,” she said. “Be the good neighbour.
“And this is the right time of year to be a good neighbour, right? Santa Claus is watching.”
