A very strong west-to-east pattern has established in the southern Prairies – from B.C. through to Manitoba.
As a result, westerly winds are expected to increase throughout the day peaking at 30 to 50 km/h for sustained winds in Calgary with gusts that are even stronger.
This synoptic setup will likely channel winds through two key corridors of the Rockies, including the southwestern corner (near Pincher Creek) and along the northern edge (near Grand Prairie).
As of 7:30 a.m., wind warnings had already been issued for portions of northern British Columbia and the Grand Prairie region on the Alberta side of the border with gusts of up to 90 km/h possible.
The wind warning threshold for southwestern Alberta is slightly higher due to more frequent stronger winds.
A wind warning can be issued for Pincher Creek, Crowsnest Pass, Lethbridge, Waterton, Cardston when sustained winds reach at least 80 km/h and/or …