Edmontonians are bracing for a day of hazardous conditions as a blowing snow alert and brutal wind chill grip the city, marking a blustery and bitterly cold start to the weekend. However, a dramatic and wild temperature swing is on the horizon, promising a brief January thaw.
Hazardous Saturday with Near-Zero Visibility
Environment Canada's blowing snow advisory remained in effect early Saturday, capping off a blizzardy period for much of Alberta. The federal weather agency warned that travel will likely be hazardous due to near-zero visibility as strong northwest winds, gusting up to 60 km/h, combined with freshly fallen snow.
At the Edmonton Blatchford weather station, temperatures sat at -21°C early Saturday with winds of 18 km/h gusting to 32 km/h. This created a punishing wind chill of -32. The forecast called for a high of only -19°C, with wind chill values plunging as low as -35 in the morning and -28 later in the day.
Frostbite is a very real threat under these conditions, Environment Canada cautioned. While conditions were expected to gradually improve by afternoon, non-essential travel was not recommended. Drivers were advised to turn on their lights, slow down, and maintain a safe following distance.
A Dramatic January Thaw Arrives Monday
In a classic example of Alberta's unpredictable climate, the deep freeze is set to make a wild and rapid retreat. After a still-chilly Sunday with a high of -7°C and a morning wind chill of -33, a significant warm-up is forecast.
The mercury is expected to rise to -4°C Sunday night, setting the stage for a Monday high of 4°C—a swing of more than 20 degrees from Saturday's wind chill values.
City Activates Extreme Weather Response
In response to the dangerous cold preceding this swing, the City of Edmonton activated its extreme weather response on December 19 to help keep vulnerable residents safe during the holiday cold snap. This protocol is triggered when the temperature, with wind chill, is forecast to be -20°C or colder for at least three consecutive nights, typically accompanied by an Environment Canada extreme cold warning.
The city planned to deactivate this response on Sunday at 3 p.m., as temperatures begin their climb. The brief respite comes as the popular Ice Castles Edmonton attraction in the Ice District opened to the public on December 27, offering a frosty but festive experience amid the volatile weather patterns.
