Heavy, wet snow forecast for much of Alberta starting Wednesday night

After the balmy temperatures Albertans have enjoyed this week, Environment Canada is forecasting a return to "wintry" conditions, with snowfall beginning Wednesday night in some central parts of the province.

"Wintry weather returns to Alberta this week," the weather agency said Tuesday. "Expect winter travel conditions from Wednesday overnight to Friday across central Alberta."

Environment Canada has issued a series of special weather statements for a wide swath of the province, from Slave Lake in the north to Calgary and further south, and stretching from the B.C. border to the Saskatchewan border.

Justin Shelley, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, said the change from the mild March weather is driven by a current coming in over the Pacific creating a low-pressure system in southern Alberta. But these systems are typical in spring.

"March is actually about tied for second in terms of the snowiest months of the year for the Edmonton region."

Heavy, wet snow is expected to start Wednesday night in west-central areas including Grande Prairie, Whitecourt and Edson.

By Thursday morning, snow will intensify across central Alberta, including the Edmonton area, Environment Canada said.

South of Edmonton, including Red Deer and areas to the east, rain mixed with freezing rain is possible before turning to snow by Thursday afternoon.

Shelley said temperatures will cool on Thursday night, freezing any standing water or new precipitation. That likely means adverse travel conditions along Highway 2 and Highway 16.

"Make sure you plan for that," Shelley said. "If you don't have to make any travel plans for Thursday, you might be better off staying home."

Snowfall amounts of five to 20 centimetres are forecast by Friday morning across central Alberta, but up to 25 centimetres is possible near the Rocky Mountains and in the western part of the province, near Grande Prairie.

However, "confidence in total snowfall accumulations is moderate," Environment Canada said, given the warm temperatures to start the week and uncertainty about how fast the snow will fall.