Canada weather: Winter storms, snow, fog forecast for this week

Canadians are bracing for a chilly start to the week as snowfall and other wintry conditions are expected to make landfall across western and eastern provinces.

Here’s a look at where winter storm watches, snowfall warnings and fog advisories are being issued.

Western Canada

Areas of central Alberta, along with Calgary, will face about 10 centimeters of snow as heavy snow will fall on Monday and lighten throughout the day.

“There could be a significant impact on rush hour traffic in urban areas,” Environment Canada warned in a warning.

A winter storm is expected to affect areas of eastern Saskatchewan and western Manitoba this week.

CTV Your Morning’s meteorologist Kelsey McEwen said the Texas low coming from the south is causing these winter storm conditions.

A powerful low pressure system approaching from the south will bring freezing rain, between 15 and 30 centimeters of snow and strong winds of up to 80 km/h to these areas from Monday to Wednesday.

Rain and sleet can turn to snow as colder air enters the system. Strong gusts will result in very poor visibility in snow and blowing snow, Environment Canada said. The weather bureau added that travel is expected to be hazardous due to reduced visibility in some areas.

Environment Canada warned that snowfall will mostly occur over higher ground in western Manitoba and eastern Saskatchewan.

Areas like Cumberland House, Sask., and along Highway 106, also known as Hanson Lake Road, will see between 20 and 30 centimeters of snow.

McEwen said it’s been an incredibly dry fall across the prairies, and cities like Calgary haven’t seen their typical November snowfall.

“Today’s snow is extremely helpful in rebuilding some of that,” McEwen said.

McEwen said areas in northwestern Ontario, southern Manitoba and Saskatchewan have yet to see much snow as we head into winter, which is atypical. “While no one likes 20 to 30 centimeters of snow, the snow will be really beneficial,” McEwen added.

Temperatures will drop into the -5 C to -10 C range during the daytime in the wake of a much colder Artic air mass sweeping into the system.

In BC, areas across the Central Coast will experience very windy conditions Tuesday into Wednesday morning, with peak wind speeds expected Tuesday evening.

In the Vancouver Island area, Environment Canada said a low pressure system will quickly deepen 400 kilometers west of the island on Tuesday. The low is expected to curl north on Wednesday and remain offshore.

Some areas can also expect heavy rain at times, the weather bureau warns.

Ontario, the North

In Ontario, near-zero visibility in fog is forecast for areas such as London, St. Thomas and Woodstock, but it is expected to ease after Monday morning.

A blizzard warning has been issued for Kugluktuk, Nvt., with near-zero visibility a possibility of snow and blowing snow.

Blizzard conditions are expected to develop Monday evening into Tuesday, Environment Canada said.