Snow falls in Alberta's mountains as frost advisories are issued

While the first day of fall is still a few weeks away, it seems as though winter is on its way in Alberta after areas in the mountains saw snowthis week.

Environment Canadaalso issued frost advisories for a large area of southern Alberta on Wednesday.

"Clearing skies combined with a cool air mass will allow temperatures to fall close to the freezing mark in portions of central Alberta. Patchy frost is expected," said the national weather agency on its website.

"Take preventative measures to protect frost-sensitive plants and trees."

While Calgary is not included, there are many areas underthe advisory:

• Airdrie,Cochrane,Olds andSundre.
• Drayton Valley, Devon,Rimbey and Pigeon Lake.
• Drumheller andThree Hills.
• Hanna,Coronation andOyen.
• Leduc,Camrose,Wetaskiwin and Tofield.
• Okotoks,High River and Claresholm.
• Red Deer,Ponoka, Innisfail and Stettler.
• Rocky Mountain House andCaroline.

Rainfall warnings ended for the southwest corner of Alberta on Wednesday night.

But the rain also broughtsnow for higher elevations, which is typical for this time of year intheRocky Mountains.

Web cams on some Alberta highways, such as Highway 22, showed the white stuff falling throughout the morning.

Prairie Storm ChaserTom Graham was up near theHighwood Pass areataking pictures of the snow. He said it was an interesting ride out there.

"It's incredible.You go from summer to fall to winter right in that area," he said of Highway 40 in Kananaskis. "Then as soon as you go over the pass to Longview it goes in reverse."

CBC weather specialist Craig Larkins said nicer weather is on the way. He said it'ssupposed to warm up for the weekend.