As the vibrant hues of fall fade, a wintry chill has enveloped the Edmonton region, signaling the arrival of snow. After enjoying a spectacular autumn in September and October, residents are bracing for their first significant snowfall of the season, predicted to blanket the city overnight into Tuesday morning.

While a light dusting of snow made a brief appearance over the weekend, Environment Canada has issued a weather advisory indicating that a more substantial accumulation is expected. The advisory covers not just Edmonton but also a wide swath of adjacent rural areas, stretching from Ponoka in the south to Westlock and Barrhead in the north, as well as Drayton Valley to the west and Vegreville to the east. The agency alerts that additional parts of Alberta could also see similar wintry conditions.

Meteorologists are forecasting that light precipitation will likely commence as rain on Monday evening, with a fleeting chance of freezing rain before temperatures plummet, transforming the rain into snow. By early Tuesday morning, an accumulation of 2 to 5 centimeters of snow is anticipated, making it the first noteworthy snowfall of the season.

Drivers should prepare for potentially hazardous road conditions and leave home earlier than usual to navigate the slower-than-normal morning commute. Adjusting driving habits will be essential as the changing weather impacts road safety.

In what may come as relief, this snowy spell is expected to be short-lived; temperatures are projected to rebound to double digits by next weekend, offering a brief respite from winter weather.

For locals looking to stay informed about road conditions, using the #yegtraffic hashtag on Twitter is a popular way to share real-time updates regarding traffic issues in the Edmonton area.

If you capture any stunning snowy scenes or local weather phenomena, feel free to share them on social media with the hashtags #yegwx and #abstorm. Stay safe and prepared as winter makes its debut in Edmonton!