File photo of Banff. (Dreamstime)

By David Opinko

30-40 cm expected

Days after heat wave, Banff & Jasper parks under winter storm warning

Jun 7, 2021 | 12:03 PM

In a drastic turn of events, but one that should not be a surprise to Albertans, the region’s national parks are in for quite a weather shakeup.

Environment Canada has issued a winter storm warning for both Banff and Jasper National Parks, forecasting 30 to 40 cm of heavy snowfall along higher elevations of Highway 93 by Tuesday morning.

They are urging drivers to consider postponing non-essential travel until the conditions improve.

“Rapidly accumulating snow could make travel difficult over some locations. Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow,” reads the weather warning from Environment Canada.

Just one week ago, Alberta was hit by a heatwave that broke over two dozen daily high-temperature records.

While the mercury did not rise as high in places like Drumheller, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, or Brooks, Banff and Jasper got quite warm as well.

The maximum temperature in Jasper reached 29.2 degrees on Wednesday, June 2, while Banff got up to 27.1 that same day.