Calgary

Snow falls in Alberta's mountains as frost advisories are issued

While the first day of fall is still a few weeks away, it seems as though winter is on its way in Alberta after areas in the mountains saw snow this week.
Tom Graham of the Prairie Storm Chasers tweeted this picture of snow in Highwood Pass in Kananaskis Country today. The high-elevation area is located near Upper Kananaskis Lake. (@Washed_Up/Twitter)

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  • Frost advisories for southern Alberta were lifted on Thursday

While the first day of fall is still a few weeks away, it seems as though winter is on its way in Alberta after areas in the mountains saw snow this week.

Environment Canada also issued frost advisories for a large area of southern Alberta on Wednesday.

The purple area represents where frost advisories have been issued in southern Alberta. Calgary is not included. (@Craig_Larkins/Twitter)

"Clearing skies combined with a cool air mass will allow temperatures to fall close to the freezing mark in portions of central Alberta. Patchy frost is expected," said the national weather agency on its website.

"Take preventative measures to protect frost-sensitive plants and trees."

While Calgary is not included, there are many areas under the advisory:

  • Airdrie, Cochrane, Olds and Sundre.
  • Drayton Valley, Devon, Rimbey and Pigeon Lake.
  • Drumheller and Three Hills.
  • Hanna, Coronation and Oyen.
  • Leduc, Camrose, Wetaskiwin and Tofield.
  • Okotoks, High River and Claresholm.
  • Red Deer, Ponoka, Innisfail and Stettler.
  • Rocky Mountain House and Caroline.
The southwest corner of Alberta has been seeing some heavy rainfall and even snow in some parts. (@Craig_Larkins/Twitter)

Rainfall warnings ended for the southwest corner of Alberta on Wednesday night.

But the rain also brought snow for higher elevations, which is typical for this time of year in the Rocky Mountains.

Web cams on some Alberta highways, such as Highway 22, showed the white stuff falling throughout the morning.

Prairie Storm Chaser Tom Graham was up near the Highwood Pass area taking pictures of the snow. He said it was an interesting ride out there.

"It's incredible. You go from summer to fall to winter right in that area," he said of Highway 40 in Kananaskis. "Then as soon as you go over the pass to Longview it goes in reverse."

CBC weather specialist Craig Larkins said nicer weather is on the way. He said it's supposed to warm up for the weekend.

The view from the 511 web cam directly west of Claresholm on Highway 22. (511.alberta.ca)
Tom Graham tweeted this picture of Highway 40 near the Highwood Pass today. Although forecasters were only calling for roughly 10 centimetres, the Prairie Storm Chasers group says more than 40 centimetres of snow has accumulated in the Kananaskis area. (@Washed_Up/Twitter)
Tom Graham of the Prairie Storm Chasers tweeted this picture of a dog playing in the snow as it accumulated near the Highwood Pass in Kananaskis. (@Washed_Up/Twitter)