Anyone planning outdoor activities or camping for the May long weekend in Edmonton may need to reconsider, as Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) forecasts cool temperatures, rain, strong winds, and even a chance of snow.
Unsettled Weather Across the Province
Mother Nature is expected to deliver a mix of rain and snow across Alberta, with the Edmonton region facing 50 to 80 km/h wind gusts on Thursday. The unsettled pattern will persist through the long weekend.
“It’s one of those years when you’re flipping a coin about doing things on May Long weekend. It’s going to be one of those years where it’s not going to be great in terms of weather,” said Terri Lang, meteorologist for ECCC, in a phone interview with Postmedia on Wednesday.
“We will see snow through the mountain parks and we’ll probably see snow into the Edmonton area. It will probably be more of a mixed rain and snow, but I don’t envision camping, flip flops and cooking s’mores around a fire.”
Daily Forecast Breakdown
Wednesday’s high is expected to reach 23 C, but conditions deteriorate Thursday with a high of 12 C and rain. Friday offers a 30 per cent chance of rain. Saturday will be the coolest day, with a high of only 8 C and cloudy skies, and a low of 2 C. Sunday rebounds to a high of 12 C, then cools to 3 C overnight. Monday warms up to 16 C with a mix of sun and cloud.
Wind and Safety Concerns
Lang warned that wind gusts over 80 km/h could cause hazards. “When you’re looking at winds gusting over 80 km/h there are going to be some issues with it. In towns, there could be lots of things blowing around, but outside in more exposed areas, there can be issues with driving, especially with people who have higher-profile vehicles,” she said.
She advised securing outdoor items and being cautious on garbage or recycling days. Strong winds also raise the risk of power outages, as small branches or older trees may break.
Gardening and Planting Tips
For those planning to garden, Lang suggests limiting activities. “You should probably be only be planting stuff that’s underground. Anything that’s alive (above ground) should not be planted this weekend, because it might freeze and get snowed on,” she said.
The weekend will be cool overall, especially in the evenings. “It’s just one of those weekends this year,” Lang added.
