Spring is the toughest time to forecast, but this spring is being particularly tough. The atmosphere is in a very meridional flow right now. That means there are lots of troughs and ridges. So, instead of a persistent westerly flow across our region we are seeing warm southerly flows as ridges build, followed by cool northerly flows as the ridges collapse and are replaced by troughs of low pressure.
Prairie forecast: Temperature rollercoaster to continue
Forecast issued April 16, covering April 16 to 23, 2025
Sea ice continues shrinking
The last few years have seen some of the smallest sea ice coverage, plus a look into the continued spring melt on the Prairies
Reading Time: 4 minutes The last few years have seen some of the smallest sea ice coverage, plus a look into the continued spring melt on the Prairies.
Prairie forecast: Warm start, unsettled weekend across extreme south
Forecast issued April 9, covering April 9 to 16, 2025
When we have these battles between warm and cold air, there's always a good chance for a storm system or area of low pressure to develop. We've seen this happen a few times this spring and looking at the latest medium range weather models, the Prairies are likely in for a few more storms as the battle continues.
Prairie forecast: Two lows and a high
Forecast issued April 2, covering April 2 to 9, 2025
This forecast period looks to be be defined by two areas of low pressure, one spinning off the west coast and the other spinning over eastern Canada. Exactly how these two lows behave a move will have a big impact on temperatures across the central and eastern Prairies.
Spring weather on the Prairies is a messy thing
Alberta’s spring, along with the other Prairie provinces, has a lot of chaos built in as seasons change and summer tries to assert itself
Reading Time: 4 minutes Alberta’s spring, along with the other Prairie provinces, has a lot of chaos built in as seasons change and summer tries to assert itself
Prairie forecast: Spring storm could bring significant snow
Forecast issued March 26, covering March 26 to April 2, 2025
We start this forecast period with a strong area of low pressure pushing in off the southern coast of B.C. This low will bring very mild temperatures to southern Alberta on Wednesday and into Thursday. It will then help to develop an area of low pressure over south-central regions early Thursday morning.
Prairie forecast: Spring battle between warm and cold continues
Forecast issued March 19, covering March 19 to 26, 2025
For this forecast period the weather models are showing a fairly quiet weather pattern will only a couple of chances of light snow as weak systems track along the boundary between the cold Arctic air to our north and milder air to the south. This is the big question mark for this forecast period: just where will this boundary be?
Prairie forecast: Dreaded Colorado low on the radar
Forecast issued March 12, covering March 12 to 19, 2025
As I mentioned in last weeks weather article, March and April can see some of the biggest snowstorms of the year. While I don't think this one will be one for the record books, there's the potential for some wintery weather across the Prairies between now and the end of the weekend.
Prairie forecast: Very mild west, slowly warming east
Forecast issued March 5, covering March 5 to 12, 2025
As we ease into what can be the stormiest and snowiest time of the year on the Prairies, the big question is—are we going to see a late winter snowstorm? Well, I can say that we won’t. What I can say is the odds are low in this forecast period.
Prairie forecast: Mild and dry west – unsettled start to the east
In recent days the weather models have leaned towards the mild weather sticking around. The the main medium to long range forecast models are calling for a warmer than average March across the Prairies. Maybe we are seeing an early start to spring.
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
