First snowfall hits Alberta this Thanksgiving weekend; 20+ cm possible in mountain areas

Alberta's first significant snowfall of the season is on track for this Thanksgiving weekend, and it's arriving at an awkward time: when thousands of residents are hitting the road.

Environment Canada issued a special weather statement Thursday, October 8. Rain beginning Thursday is expected to turn to snow by Friday, October 9. The snowfall will vary across the province — Grande Cache, Hinton, and Jasper National Park could see more than 20 centimetres of accumulation. Most Albertans will see some snow, though amounts will vary.

ECCC meteorologist Terri Lang said that timing is the real problem. "It's going to be a bit of a mess this weekend. Sadly, it's timed for the Thanksgiving long weekend, when we know that there's going to be a lot of people travelling." Lang advised putting winter tires on vehicles if possible, packing an emergency kit, and checking highway conditions before departing. "Really exercise caution, and if you can get the car ready for the snow, then please do," she said.

The good news: little risk of freezing rain or ice because ground temperatures remain high. The snow is not expected to stick around for long — precipitation should slow by Sunday, with sunshine and double-digit temperatures forecast for the Edmonton-to-Calgary corridor next week.

Lang's message was plain: "Have that awareness and be prepared, instead of just heading out in your flip-flops to the mountains this weekend."