Parts of Calgary are kicking off the May long weekend with heavy snowfall Saturday morning.
Snowfall is primarily concentrated in the north and west parts of the city, and extends west to Banff and Lake Louise. South Calgary is expected to see rainfall throughout the day, with the possibility of periods of wet snow.
Environment Canada warns that snowfall may affect travel plans this weekend. Snow is expected to continue throughout Saturday, and into Sunday in the Crowsnest region.
“Forecast snowfall amounts are highly uncertain and will be variable,” Environment Canada said in a special weather statement issued Saturday morning. “Some areas may see little snow, but others may see snowfall accumulations of 10 cm or more under localized heavy snow bands.
“Prepare for rapidly changing and deteriorating road conditions. Visibility may be suddenly reduced in heavy snow.”
A frost advisory was also issued Saturday afternoon, with temperatures expected to drop below zero degrees overnight.
“Frost advisories are issued when widespread frost or freezing temperatures are expected during the growing season,” Environment Canada said.
“Cover up plants, especially those in frost-prone areas.”
Soggy start to summer season for Calgary attractions
Inclement weather could affect outdoor activities and attractions throughout Calgary this weekend.
Calaway Park’s season opening, originally set for Saturday, has been postponed to Sunday due to the weather.
“The decision was made for the safety of our guests and our team members,” said general manager Bob Williams. “When the decks are covered with snow and ice, loading and unloading guests is something that we take very seriously.”
The park is likely to get up to six inches of snow accumulating throughout the day, Williams said, with much of it already sticking to the ground as of Saturday morning. However, plans to open the park on Sunday are still moving forward.
“The forecast looks outstanding for Sunday and Monday, and our operating hours will be 10 (a.m.) to 7 p.m.,” Williams said.
Downhill Karting at WinSport was also set to open for the summer season on Saturday, but postponed due to the snow.
“The snow storm has got the best of us today unfortunately,” read the announcement, posted to social media on Saturday. “We’re hoping to be open tomorrow and back on schedule looking at the forecast.”
Calgary Farmyard opened its doors for the season on Friday, but shut down on Saturday with plans to reopen on Sunday.
It was a snowy spring start to opening day at Heritage Park on Saturday.
The season opening of Heritage Park’s Historical Village went ahead Saturday morning despite the weather, and though turnout hasn’t been as high as the park typically sees on opening weekend, communications and marketing manager Eirin Bernie said, “any one person through the gate makes us happy.”
“It’s a classic Calgary weather type of day, kind of unexpected, so we were really pleased with the turnout, given the weather,” she said. “Mayor Jeromy Farkas stopped by to help us with the gate opening moment, so that was really awesome too.”
The park opens rain or shine, and Bernie said so far, the snow hasn’t been accumulating on the ground.
“We do have a lot of inside activities too,” she said. “Inside the houses, we have fires going, we have things baking in the ovens, and people can do different hands-on activities inside the houses to keep warm and enjoy the day.”
There’s a lot to look forward to at the park this season, she said, and this year’s focus is on historic trades, small businesses and the everyday work that grew prairie communities in the early 1900s.
“We’ve got everything from blacksmiths to ranch hands to printers, builders, and entrepreneurs all across Heritage Park who are bringing these stories to life,” she said. “We really want people to get immersed in the historical experience this year through the labour and the work that went into life in that time period.”
Heritage Park is also launching all-new Indigenous programming at its First Nations Encampment this year, including games, tipi experiences and National Indigenous History Month programming.
“We’re really excited to be amping up that experience for our guests,” Bernie said.
ddekuyper@postmedia.com
Participants walk through the spring snow towards Otafest, the Japanese anime and pop culture festival, in downtown Calgary on Saturday.