Forecast issued April 8, covering April 8 to 15, 2026
Highlights
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Prairie forecast: Cooler than average temperatures expected to continue
While temperatures will gradually trend upward as the Prairies move into spring, the overall cooler-than-average pattern remains firmly in place. Current indications suggest this will persist for at least the next 7 to 10 days.
- Another Alberta clipper could form over central Alberta mid next week and head east.
- Milder temperatures are expected to arrive in Saskatchewan and Manitoba late this week.
Overview
Spring is trying to arrive, but we just can’t seem to completely shake winter’s grip.
The unfortunate news is that this forecast period looks very similar to the last one. The main difference this week is the steadily strengthening sun and, as a result, gradually warming temperatures.
We begin this forecast period with a strong Alberta clipper storm system exiting southern Manitoba, as was forecasted in last weeks forecast! This is the same system that brought heavy snow to parts of Alberta and Saskatchewan on Tuesday, and to central and portions of southern Manitoba late Tuesday into Wednesday.
In its wake, a weak push of Arctic air will settle in for Thursday and Friday before warmer air begins advancing northward ahead of a large area of low pressure expected to develop over the northwestern United States.
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This low is forecast to track northeast toward Lake Superior over the weekend. As it does, it should pull a significant amount of warm air northward. Expect daytime highs across the southern Prairies to climb toward the 10°C mark, with some locations potentially reaching 15°C. Moisture will also be drawn northward, although at this point it appears that only scattered showers are likely over southern and central Alberta and Saskatchewan through the weekend. As the low passes south of Manitoba, slightly cooler air will begin to wrap into the system, which could allow showers to transition to snow, particularly over central Manitoba. As always, this system will need to be monitored closely.
Another shot of Arctic air is expected early next week as high pressure drops southward behind the departing low. This will bring temperatures back below average, with daytime highs only reaching the low single digits. Attention then turns to the potential for another Alberta clipper developing around the middle of next week, but as is often the case, that remains a long way off and subject to change.
Alberta
This forecast period begins with a lingering trough of low pressure over central and northern regions, associated with Tuesday’s Alberta clipper, gradually weakening and shifting eastward. This will allow for clearing skies and cooler temperatures, with daytime highs across the province generally in the 3 to 5°C range.
Temperatures will begin to moderate on Friday as warm air pushes northward ahead of a developing low over the northwestern United States. Daytime highs are expected to reach around 10°C on Friday and could climb to near 15°C on Saturday, particularly across southern regions.
As this U.S. low advances eastward over the weekend, expect increasing cloud cover and the chance of showers developing Saturday and continuing into Sunday.
Cooler air will begin to filter in behind the system as it drifts eastward. There is a possibility that precipitation could briefly change to snow late Sunday or overnight and into Monday before exiting the province.
Early next week will start on the cooler side as Arctic high pressure settles in. Expect daytime highs in the 1 to 4°C range, with overnight lows dropping to around -8°C. Milder air is expected to return to southern and central regions by Tuesday and Wednesday.
Weather models suggest another Alberta clipper may develop across central areas late Wednesday into Thursday. As usual, and especially this year, this system will require close monitoring.
Saskatchewan and Manitoba
Both regions continue to deal with the lingering effects of the Alberta clipper that moved through central Saskatchewan on Tuesday and Manitoba on Wednesday. Colder Arctic air will push in on Wednesday and Thursday as high pressure builds southward behind the system. Expect daytime highs ranging from -2 to 5°C and overnight lows near -8°C. There’s a possibility of of colder temperatures in areas that received significant snowfall, especially if skies clear out.
Temperatures will begin to rebound on Friday as milder air advances northward ahead of the developing low over the northwestern United States. This warming trend should bring daytime highs into the low teens across southern Saskatchewan by Saturday and into Manitoba by Sunday.
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Over the weekend, expect increasing cloudiness along with the chance of showers by Sunday as the U.S. low tracks toward Lake Superior.
As cooler air is drawn into the system, precipitation may transition to light snow or flurries by Monday. There is some potential for more significant snowfall over central Manitoba on Monday, while southern regions may see mainly rain. This system will need to be watched closely.
Colder air will push back into the region behind this low on Tuesday and Wednesday with daytime highs only forecasted to be in the 2 to 5 C range. I hate to say it, but the weather models are showing another Alberta clipper developing on Wednesday, but that is a long way off and plenty can change between now and then.
