Snowfall may be upon Prince Albert within the week, though it might take until early next week to arrive. (Trevor Redden/paNOW Staff)

By Rob Mahon

Winter Weather Ahead

Smoke and snow on the way for Prince Albert

Oct 12, 2021 | 12:00 PM

Though the official start of winter is still over two months away, that has never stopped winter weather from arriving early. Some parts of Saskatchewan have already gotten their first dose of snow for the season, and Prince Albert may not be far behind.

Environment Canada’s forecast calls for rain on Thursday with the possibility of flurries. Although the models seem to suggest there won’t be much snow, — and if there is any it won’t accumulate — there’s also a chance that by next week we’re seeing the first signs of winter more clearly.

“There’s a low-pressure system coming up from Colorado, a Colorado low,” said regional meteorologist Terri Lang. “It will track through Manitoba, and it will clip the eastern parts of Saskatchewan and likely bring some snow. At this time, it doesn’t look like (Prince Albert) will be hit by it, and if they do it will be a brief rain shower mixed with snow, but we’re not expecting any accumulation.”

By the start of next week, however, snow gets more likely as another system sweeps through on Monday. Between now and then, Prince Albert will likely have to deal with another issue as smoke from wildfires in other parts of the province is likely going to come through again.

“The fires near Hudson Bay are still going,” said Lang. “The smoke dispersion models are indicating that the plume of smoke will start turning around and may head back into the Prince Albert region tomorrow. So if people start seeing smoke again tomorrow, that’s where it’s coming from and it may affect air quality, so just keep that in the back of your mind.”

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Smoke can have a dramatic cooling effect on the weather, especially when it blocks out already limited sunshine, but Lang doesn’t expect it to drop the temperature too badly. By next week, however, it won’t have to.

“Into the longer term, we’re expecting another weather system to kind of go through the province on the weekend,” said Lang. “This next one, when it hits, looks like Monday to Tuesday, that’s the one that actually may be bringing a better chance of snow.”

Lang added that the temperature in much of Saskatchewan, including Prince Albert, is at or above seasonal averages right now. She also said even though temperatures will get below zero at the low several times in the coming days, there’s not much chance of freezing rain if we do get rained on.

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rob.mahon@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @RobMahonPxP