Alberta’s snowfall warning: Easter snowfall support for Cochrane and southern Alberta; travel warning issued

Cochrane and southern Alberta will see snowfall on Easter Sunday (April 20, 2025). Calgary issued a warning and also predicted that it would see a mix of rain and snow starting Sunday night, which would last until Monday.

The coming system is expected to rise overnight on Sunday, which could lead to difficult travel conditions and lower levels, while the western and northwest of Calgary is expected to receive the highest snowfall.

Environment Canada said that although Calgary can see 5-10 cm of snow, the total number of snowfall will vary, and a warming trend is expected to follow, with temperatures steadily rising throughout the week.
Cold air and plenty of moisture are entering southern Alberta, causing snowfall damage. As the event begins throughout the night, widespread snowfall warnings are actually effective.

Calgarians can expect a short winter. The city is expected to experience rain and snow on Sunday nights and Mondays.

Calgary’s temperature was around Level 2 C on Sunday afternoon and is expected to drop to a low of zero overnight. Calgary has seen early signs of the upcoming system early Sunday morning, reporting scattered rain and gushing showers in parts of the city. According to the Environment Canada, snowfall in northwest Calgary is likely to be the highest. National weather authorities warn drivers of reduced visibility and difficulties in travel conditions due to snow.

The system is expected to rise overnight on Sunday and precipitate from Hinton, Alta. Towards the southeast corner of Alberta near the Saskatchewan border.

As the system pulls Alberta out overnight Monday night to Tuesday, snowfall is expected to gradually decrease.

Due to the convective nature of the system and marginal temperature, spring snowfall on the western grasslands greatly increases uncertainty to support snow accumulation at lower altitudes.

The stagnant low-pressure area in central Alberta will cause local snow to lead overnight. Calgary’s wet snow bursts as the valley troughs rise in the area, and eventually stalled north of the city on Monday morning.

The snow will gradually lift at stalls north of Calgary and south of Red Deer, causing a significant risk of wet snow in central Alberta. Wet snow can lower branches and power cords, potentially causing local power outages.