Heavy snowfall expected through weekend across Alberta

A snowy weekend is on the forecast for much of Alberta after a mild fall up until this week.

Environment and Climate Change Canada says up to 35 centimetresof snow is possible for parts of eastern Alberta by Saturday night, while other areas will likely see snowfall totals of 15 to 25 cm.

Snowfall oversouthern Alberta is expected tospreadnorthwardFriday night, with some areas seeingfiveto 10 cm accumulate by Saturday morning.

The weather agency says the heaviest snow will fall on Saturday with another 10 to 25 cm.

Snow willtaperoff Saturdayevening for most areas, however east-central parts of the province will likely get moderate snow until early Sunday morning.

Environment Canada is warning that visibility may be suddenly reduced during heavy snow this weekend, with surfaces like roads, walkways and parking lots becoming difficult to navigate.

Calgary Transit says it is activating snow detours beginning Friday at 8 p.m. due to the weather. It anticipates the detours will stay in place until Monday morning.

Environment and Climate Change Canada meteorologist Stephen Berg said the snowfall, coming after a mild fall in Alberta up until this week, signals cooler and potentially snowier weather through the next few weeks.

"It is a weak La Nia right now, which typically means a cooler and snowier winter for the Prairie provinces," Berg said on Friday. "But given that it's a weak La Nia, there might be other factors that take precedence over it."

Berg added that the weekend's snowfall in Alberta comes from remnants of the bomb cyclone reported in B.C. in the last couple of days that has moved further east.

"As the system moved over the Rockies, on the other side of the Rockies in the foothills in Montana, that's where this low-pressure system looks to be developing," Berg said.

Snowfall warnings are in effect through much of southern and central Alberta, as far north as Grande Prairie.

Environment Canada also issued snowfall warnings on the west coast of British Columbia, and in southern Saskatchewan, as far east as Moose Jaw.

Berg warned drivers to watch out for reduced visibility while driving on Friday and Saturday, with some heavy bursts on Friday, and an overall heavier dose of snow on Saturday.