Edmonton woke up to snow on Saturday.
The city’s first snowfall of the season arrived on Oct. 10, nearly a month earlier than last year, just as Albertans head into the Thanksgiving long weekend.
Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for Edmonton, St. Albert, Sherwood Park and much of central and northern Alberta.
“The first snowfall of the season is expected for much of Alberta, and may affect holiday travel,” the agency said.
Don’t put the fall jacket away yet, though. By Friday, Edmonton could be back up to 16 C.
How much snow
Environment Canada is calling for about 2 cm of wet snow during the day Saturday, and about 2 cm more Saturday night, ending around midnight.
That’s up to about 4 cm in total, though less may stick, since the snow is wet and temperatures are right around freezing.
Saturday’s high is 1 C, with north winds gusting up to 40 km/h. Overnight, it drops to -1 C.
Amounts will vary a lot across the province. Areas west and north of Edmonton could get more, and snowfall warnings are in effect in some areas. Calgary and areas to its east may see little, while the southern foothills and areas along the U.S. border, including the Cypress Hills, could get more.
Then it warms right back up
Here’s Environment Canada’s forecast for Edmonton:
Saturday, Oct. 10: Wet snow, high of 1 C
Sunday, Oct. 11: Mainly cloudy, 4 C
Thanksgiving Monday, Oct. 12: Sunny, 9 C
Tuesday, Oct. 13: Sunny, 11 C
Wednesday, Oct. 14: Mix of sun and cloud, 14 C
Thursday, Oct. 15: Mix of sun and cloud, 10 C
Friday, Oct. 16: Mix of sun and cloud, 16 C
Edmonton’s normal high this time of year is about 12 C, so Friday would be warmer than average. Any snow that sticks Saturday should melt fast.
Nearly a month earlier than last year
Last fall, Edmonton made it through September and October without significant snow. Its first significant snowfall came around Nov. 7, 2025, the third-latest on record. Only 2021 (Nov. 15) and 2015 (Nov. 23) were later.
In 2024, Edmonton’s first measurable snow came on Nov. 2, when about 1.1 cm fell.
This year’s snow is coming nearly a month ahead of both.
That’s not unusual for Edmonton, though. The city’s first snow usually comes in October, and has shown up as early as September. The latest first snow on record came on Dec. 2, 2008.
Early snow rarely lasts. In Edmonton, snow that stays on the ground for the winter usually doesn’t settle in until November.
Why the first snow is so slippery
A few centimetres of wet snow doesn’t sound like much. But the first snowfall of the year is often one of the worst for driving.
With temperatures hovering around zero, snow melts on the pavement and leaves wet slush. When it drops below freezing overnight, that slush can refreeze into ice. Bridges and overpasses freeze first, because cold air reaches them from above and below.
Many drivers also haven’t switched to winter tires yet. And with Thanksgiving traffic on the highways, even a little snow can cause problems.
If you’re driving between Edmonton and Red Deer, Calgary, Grande Prairie or anywhere else, check conditions for your whole route, not just Edmonton. Snowfall can change a lot over short distances.
Does early snow mean a long winter?
Not necessarily. The date of the first snow doesn’t predict how much snow Edmonton will get over the winter, or how cold it’ll be.
This year, a much bigger factor is building in the Pacific Ocean.
A potentially record El Niño
On Oct. 8, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said El Niño is still strengthening, and a strong to very strong event is likely through January to March 2027.
It also gave an 83 per cent chance that this October to December will see an El Niño stronger than any since record-keeping began in 1950.
El Niño happens when the Pacific Ocean near the equator gets unusually warm. That shifts the jet stream, which changes where storms go and how warm or cold different regions get.
For Western Canada, El Niño winters have tended to be milder, and in some areas drier, than normal.
But even a strong El Niño doesn’t guarantee a mild winter in Edmonton. A winter that’s warmer on average can still bring stretches below -30 C, and big snowstorms.
Driving this weekend
Check 511 Alberta for road conditions and closures before you leave.
Slow down and leave extra space between you and the car ahead.
Watch for ice on bridges and overpasses, especially overnight.
Pack an emergency kit, with a blanket, warm clothes, a flashlight, a phone charger, snacks and an ice scraper.
Book your winter tire swap. Winter tires grip better in the cold, even on roads that aren’t snow-covered.
Not cooking this year?
If the weather has you staying in, or you’d rather not wrestle a turkey, plenty of Edmonton and Calgary restaurants are serving Thanksgiving dinner this weekend, or offering turkey dinners to go. See where to get Thanksgiving dinner in Edmonton and Calgary.
Sources
Edmonton, AB 7-day forecast, Environment and Climate Change Canada
ENSO Diagnostic Discussion, NOAA Climate Prediction Center, October 8, 2026
511 Alberta
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