Calgarians scramble for snow shovels

CALGARY – Expect a surge of visitors from Calgary to the Thompson-Okanagan thanks to a forecast early blast of winter.

Environment Canada is predicting the temperature will fall to 2 C on Monday and warns Cowtown residents will likely see their first snow of the season.

Because snow in early September is so rare, the meteorologists have issued a special weather statement to give the soon-to-be shivering Albertans a heads up.

The change in the weather will be dramatic with the forecast high of 25 C in Calgary Sunday.

The weather prognosticators are blaming a blast of cold Arctic air for the approaching plunge in temperature.

Up to 5 centimeters of snow is expect Monday in Calgary, with rain mixed with snow until Wednesday. Fortunately for our neighbours to the east, the snow won't stick around. The mercury should climb back into the double digits on Thursday.

Just last Wednesday, drivers on Highway 22 southwest of Calgary had to dust off their winter driving skills as they dealt with with a blanket of snow.

The forecast for the Thompson-Okanagan on Monday has no mention of snow, but it will be much cooler. Environment Canada is calling for showers and temperaturs in the high teens or low 20's C from Penticton to Kamloops. 

To contact the reporter for this story, email Howard Alexander at halexander@infonews.ca or call 250-491-0331. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.