Calgary Weather: Cold, wet and windy long weekend forecast

Layers and raincoats are prioritized over tanks and flip-flops this long weekend.

Daytime highs in Calgary are expected to be between 10-13°C, with rain and gusty winds Friday through Monday.

Parts of Calgary saw a rain/snow mix early Friday, a scenario likely to repeat Saturday morning.

Mixed precipitation is possible at higher elevations, especially overnight, and that possibility has prompted a special weather statement for highways in BC from Environment and Climate Change Canada, explaining: “Cooler air with precipitation is now in the mountain passes. means it's snowing a little. Precipitation will change to rain later in the day and may change to showers again tonight and Saturday morning.”

According to the National Weather Service, two to five inches of snow is possible overnight. With warmer surface temperatures and increased traffic, icing is less of a concern, but wet snow can pose a traction hazard and make exposure visible.

Rain in northern Alberta has had a positive effect on wildfires in terms of fire containment, as well as air quality, as the rain has brought particulate matter to the surface. As of 7:30 a.m. Friday, the air quality advisory has been lifted for the area.

Winds will be strong in central Alberta as well as southern Alberta on Friday. Convective activity (thunderstorms) is possible on Saturday, but if they occur in Calgary they will be isolated.

Overnight temperatures will be near freezing for the city of Calgary, with many communities benefiting from the urban heat island effect. In some areas it may drop below 0 degrees, this possibility increases outside the city.