Edmontonians getting accustomed to milder February conditions of late will be in for a rude awakening this week as heavy snow and cold temperatures arrive back in the area.
Environment Canada has issued a yellow-level snowfall warning for Edmonton, St. Albert and Sherwood Park on Family Day. The agency is forecasting snowfall amounts of 15 to 25 cm with potential to exceed 30 cm. Periods of light snow are expected throughout the day followed by heavy snowfall arriving at night.
The forecasted high is -4 C on Monday with the wind chill near -15 C, and winds gusting at 30 km/h and up to 50 km/h in the morning. The low is expected to be -13 C Monday night.
That will set off several days of cold temperatures, according to Environment Canada. Wednesday is forecast to be the coldest day with a high of -21 C and a low of -27 at night. The rest of the week is expected to see daytime highs range between -14 C and -18 C, not including wind chill.
The warning said the heaviest snowfall will occur Monday night and taper off Tuesday night.
Albertans are asked to allow extra time for travel which will likely be challenging with the snow.
Team Wales’s Clive Redley works on a snow sculpture during the 36th annual Silver Skate Festival in Edmonton’s Laurier Park on Feb. 7. The festival continues until Feb. 16.
Extreme weather response
The City of Edmonton activated its extreme weather response as of Monday at 9 a.m. and an update will come by Feb. 27 as weather conditions change.
The activation comes when the forecast anticipates -20 C or lower with wind chill for at least three consecutive days. City facilities will be open to the public such as libraries and recreation centres will be available during regular hours for anyone in need.
Vulnerable Edmontonians are encouraged to go to shelters. The Al Rashid Mosque will not be providing additional shelter services during the activation period in observance of Ramadan.
The city is asking residents to keep an eye out for signs of hypothermia such as uncontrollable shivering, drowsiness or exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss or slurred speech. Someone with severe hypothermia may be unconscious and may not seem to have a pulse or be breathing.
Those who see anyone sheltering outdoors are asked to call 211 and press three for the crisis diversion team.
Two shelter shuttles are operating along the north and south routes from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.. A 24-7 Hope Mission shuttle runs along the west route providing transportation to shelters and other supports.
During the extreme weather response, a third overnight weather shuttle will be available along the north route. From 12:45 to 3:30 a.m. the north and south winter shuttles will transport people based on need from LRT stations to shelters and are not on a set route. The extreme weather response bus and west bus will continue on set routes.
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