Above-average snowfall and a powerful late-April storm system marked April in the Calgary region, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada.

Meteorologist Terri Lang said 37.2 centimetres of snow was recorded at the Calgary International Airport between April 1 and April 26.

“The average snowfall for the month of April is 22.9 centimetres,” Lang said.

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Lang said a late-April system brought snow and strong winds across much of the Prairies, including southern Alberta.

“There was a really deep, big, deep weather system that came across, and it affected all of the prairies,” she said.

Lang said the same system brought heavy snow to Fort McMurray and freezing rain in parts of Manitoba.

“With these types of weather systems, the deeper the weather system, the stronger the wind associated with it,” she said.

“These were northwesterly winds,” Lang said.

“That indicates how deep the low-pressure system was, and the fact that they were coming from the northwest indicates that it was blowing in cold air.”

Lang described conditions through April as inconsistent.

“It’s been a long, long winter, and it just seems to be hanging on,” she said.

Looking ahead, Lang said temperatures are expected to rise in the coming days.

“Within the next week or so, we are seeing a warm up… mid to high teens, which is nice,” she said.

“I wouldn’t put away the snow shovels yet, because this spring has been so all over the map,” Lang said.

Environment Canada’s short-term forecast issued Tuesday morning shows a mix of conditions through the week, with a high of 12 C expected Tuesday and a 30 per cent chance of showers later in the day.

The forecast calls for a high of 14 C on Wednesday and 19 C on Thursday, followed by a mix of sun and cloud with a 60 per cent chance of showers Friday.

Temperatures are expected to climb into the low 20s by Sunday.

Environment Canada’s monthly outlook suggests a higher likelihood of above-average temperatures for southern Alberta in May, though no clear pattern has emerged for precipitation.

“It is forecasting… a better chance that it’s going to be above average with respect to temperature in southern Alberta, and no discernible pattern for the precipitation,” Lang said.

“But I don’t know how much I’d hang on that, just because it’s been such a crazy spring so far.”

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