Temperatures expected to drop by 20 degrees in the next few hours

A rapid drop in temperatures is coming this afternoon to Strathmore, Brooks, Vulcan, and surrounding areas. 

In a weather advisory issued by Environment Canada, it states that temperatures are expected to drop by 15-20 degrees Celsius in under an hour by this afternoon. 

“There is currently a strong storm system moving through Alberta today, and it is dropping the temperatures rapidly,” said Alysa Pederson, a meteorologist with Environment Canada. 

A rapid cold front from the north will cause a dramatic drop in temperatures. 

According to Pederson, the cold is going to stick around for a while. 

“Once this system moves through, we're going to stay below normal. There's going to be some snow for the next little while, then a little bit of a warmup come early next week.” 

Pederson cautions drivers to be safe during their commute home tonight, as the rapid drop in temperatures will make previously wet areas icy and slippery. 

There will also be on-and-off again snowstorms happening this late afternoon and evening. 

“With those northwestern winds and cold fronts, we're looking at the potential for snow squalls. These will be short but very intense snowfalls that will lower visibility and make travel hazardous briefly.” 

As of 11:30 a.m., the temperature in Strathmore is 6 degrees Celsius. 

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