Erratic weather in the forecast for Edmonton this week, as city again activates emergency response

Fluctuating temperatures are becoming the norm for Edmonton.

While Thursday started on a warm note, it quickly flipped to wind gusts and a yellow warning for snow squalls.

That’s being followed by a forecasted windchill of minus-20 Celsius, with the chance of flurries and rain in the next few days.

The snow squall is expected to cause reduced visibility and wind gusts up to 80 kilometres per hour. Meteorologist Brian Proctor says this was caused by cold wind blowing from the north of British Columbia.

Proctor adds the fluctuating temperature is normal within the central part of Alberta.

“We’re right along the storm track this time of year, typically, and so we see these oscillations of these systems pass across,” said the Environment Canada meteorologist. “And that’s really what we’re looking at in the short-term forecast too, as we start seeing the daytime highs, Friday minus-13, Saturday minus-6. By the time you get to Tuesday and Monday, plus-3 again.”

Proctor says the Edmonton region may experience above seasonal temperatures with more precipitation up north. And spring may arrive in the middle of March this year.

“It does look like it’s going to be normal to just seasonal to just above seasonal, so maybe a degree or two above normal temperatures on average moving forward,” Proctor said. “So the La Niña really has waned, it’s done.”

The City of Edmonton once again activated its extreme weather response Thursday, lasting until March 4; public facilities will be open to those wanting to stay warm.

Edmontonians are advised to call the crisis diversion team if they see homeless people outside.