Halloween is just around the corner, and it’s looking like much of Alberta will be treated, not tricked, when it comes to what is in the forecast.
Daily Hive chatted with Brian Proctor, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), regarding the chilly weather we are settling into and the warm-up that is right in time for Halloween.
The spooky holiday falls on a Saturday this year, and with how the forecast is looking, the ghouls and goblins may be out late into the night.
How does the lead-up to Halloween forecast look for Alberta?
Alberta Archives/Shutterstock
At the moment, much of southern Alberta, with Proctor pointing to about two-thirds of the province overall, looks like it will be seeing some sort of precipitation from now until Tuesday evening, mainly as spotty precipitation with a little bit of flurry activity. Things become a bit snowier for many areas come Wednesday, Oct. 28.
“We’re definitely looking at sort of rain showers or flurries, mixed and snow kind of thing overnight Tuesday into towards Wednesday, and Wednesday looks to be a snow day,” Proctor said, with the heaviest snowfall totals set to occur along the Foothills.
He added that while precipitation will be swirling through much of southern and central Alberta, Calgary will see a much better chance of seeing more snowfall than Edmonton will.
Much of Alberta will then see a trend of warmer and drier weather kicking off on Thursday, Oct. 29, with gradual improvements right through to Halloween.
“At this point in time, it’s definitely an improving trend. But we’ve got to get through a little bit of just a shot of some snow or mixed rain and snow in the shorter term before we can get to that sort of improving trend for the weekend.”
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For folks up in northern Alberta, particularly in the northeast like Fort McMurray, which saw plenty of snow over the weekend, that same system will linger this week before gradually pulling out, and a drying trend will follow there as well.
“It’ll clear earlier in the south and later in the week in the northeast,” Proctor added.
The Rockies also have a good chance of seeing fairly significant snowfall amounts over some of the higher elevations during the early and middle part of this week, before a similar warming and drying out trend hits around Halloween.
You can view all ECCC forecasts for Alberta online.
Looking at Alberta’s two largest cities, we simply need to get through the chilliness of this work week and enjoy what is coming on Halloween.
Taking a peek at Edmonton first, the forecast shows a drop in temperatures as we hit the midway point of the week, with periods of snow on Wednesday, Oct. 28. Alberta’s capital city will see daytime highs below average right through to Halloween; however, a high of 4°C and sunshine is forecast for Saturday, Oct. 31.
It could be worse for partygoers and trick-or-treaters; the snowpants may not be necessary this year!
Environment and Climate Change Canada
According to ECCC, the average daytime high for this time of year in Edmonton is 7°C, while the average low is -3°C.
Turning to Calgary, the forecast shows a dip in temperatures as we hit Wednesday, Oct. 28, with a high of 0°C and snow. Daytime highs remain below freezing through to Halloween Eve.
Temperatures really improve to a high of 8°C on Saturday, Oct. 31, rising even more as we kick off a new month on Sunday, Nov. 1, with a high of 9°C.
Environment and Climate Change Canada
According to ECCC, the average daytime high for this time of year in Calgary is 9°C, while the average low is -4°C.
Proctor added that although we can see improvements in temperature and November is currently looking fairly dry and warm in ECCC’s seasonal forecast, we are moving closer to winter, and as Alberta sees these early-season snowfalls, it is crucial that people really start to adjust their driving habits.
“We all forget sort of how to deal with the snow a little bit as we go through the summer season,” Proctor said.
“Just give yourself a little bit more time out there and give yourself a little bit more space with the other vehicles if you can.”
Are you planning on being out and about this Halloween in Alberta? Let us know in the comments.