Environment Canada calling for dry spring in Southern Alberta

She told LNN, “it’s been so dry this last little while and leading into even the winter that we have a large area of severe drought and extreme drought in the southeastern portions of Alberta.”

“Lethbridge itself and the Lethbridge area is in an area of severe drought and then just sort of east of that, in Brooks, Medicine Hat, Milk River, all the way around the Cypress Hills, we’ve got an area of extreme drought, so dry conditions are certainly a concern from the winter and coming into the spring.”

Hoffman continued, “for the spring, our extended forecast is not looking very good for some replenishing moisture.”

NEAR-NORMAL TEMPERATURES

Residents can expect to experience near-normal temperatures as we enter the spring season, which Hoffman explained for this time of year “is about a daytime high of eight [degrees] and an overnight low of minus five.”

“Certainly, we expect temperatures to sort of oscillate around that normal for the next little while here.”

The forecast for the early part of this week in Lethbridge is calling for a high of 15 degrees on Tuesday, March 22 and a high of 17 degrees on Wednesday, March 23.

WINTER TIRES

Hoffman said the warmer temperatures may incentivize some drivers to take the winter tires off their vehicle, but she cautions motorists to hold off for a bit, “at least until that Easter weekend.”

“That’s kind of the trick with spring in Alberta. One minute it can feel like winter is completely over and the next minute we’ve got 10 centimetres of snow and some pretty cold temperatures.”

She advises drivers to keep their snow brush in their vehicle and “to be prepared for rapidly changing weather.”

“If you’re on the road driving or if you’ve got a trip coming up, it’s going to be extra important for the next couple of weeks here to keep your eyes on the forecast as the weather can change pretty rapidly now that we’re into spring. You might start off the day with some really warm temperatures and you might end the day with a blizzard.”

Despite the warmer temperatures in the early parts of this week, Hoffman said a cold front is expected to come through on Thursday, March 24. She explained that could bring out some snow or rain, a mix of the two, and there’s a possibility of accumulating snow in the Foothills.

Hoffman said it’s important that Southern Alberta residents remain ‘weather-aware’.

by Justin Goulet

Environment Canada calling for dry spring in Southern Alberta

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