Enjoy the weekend weather, Alberta — winter is coming and an atmospheric river is to blame

After lots of warm, dry weather so far this fall in Alberta, there's a dramatic shift in the forecast on the way — including the possibility of snow.

After some glorious weather so far this fall in Alberta, there’s a dramatic shift in the forecast on the way — including the possibility of several centimetres of the dreaded white stuff early next week.

On Saturday, the temperature in Calgary and Edmonton is forecast to hit the mid to high teens, but the mercury is expected to plunge by Monday with the forecast high just barely above freezing.

In Lethbridge, the temperature could hit the mid-twenties this weekend before it drops to around 6 C on Monday.

“Temperatures over the weekend will take a big jump thanks to Chinook winds moving in from the west,” Global Calgary chief meteorologist Tiffany Lizee said on Friday.

“Areas in southern Alberta are expected to reach the high teens, low 20s C.”

But by Monday, we’ll see a dramatic shift in the weather.

“Snow will move into the Rockies and parts of northern Alberta over the weekend,” Lizee said.

“Areas in the capital region will start to see mixed precipitation on Sunday, which will eventually push farther south to Calgary on Monday. Lethbridge will also get some moisture, but that should stay as rain.”