Summer vacation ends with snow sightings in parts of Western Canada

High-elevation alpine snow is forecast across the Canadian Rockies this week.

The new school year and the end of summer are just around the corner as we wrap up the month of August.

If the back-to-school gear at your local stores as well as advertisements on television weren't enough of a reminder of the upcoming change in seasons, the latest forecast across the Canadian Rockies will be.

Not only will the Rocky Mountains be seeing flakes fly this week, so will British Columbia's numerous mountains.

A mass of cooler, unsettled air will descend over Western Canada on Tuesday, causing alpine freezing levels to fall under 2000 metres.

B.C. alpine freezing level forecast Aug. 26, 2024

Temperatures across the region will also drop between five and ten degrees below seasonal. 

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As residents continue their return to Jasper, Alta., the thermometer will be hovering at a chilly 11°C—9 degrees below the seasonal average.

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The fall-like trend in temperatures carries over to the other side of the Rockies, as temperatures in Kamloops, B.C., are forecast to reach 17°C on Tuesday—also 9 degrees below seasonal for this time of year.

B.C. and Alta. Tuesday overnight forecast lows Aug. 26, 2024

Tuesday overnight will see lows in the single digits throughout the mountain valleys.

Rain and snow

Tuesday's cooldown will also be accompanied by precipitation.

Rain is expected to drop over the region throughout the day on Tuesday, but it won't be until after the sun sets that the snowflakes will be dancing down from the sky.

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Mountain peaks above 2000 metres, including B.C.'s coastal mountains, Columbia Mountains, and Rocky Mountains, are forecast to get a healthy dose of snow overnight. 

B.C. Alta. mountain Tuesday snowfall forecast  Aug. 26, 2024

Accumulations may even be enough for folks to wake up to see white snowcaps on the mountains early Wednesday morning.

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Moving forward through the week, temperatures will steadily climb back up to seasonal, and drier conditions will take over.

Stay with The Weather Network for more forecast information and updates on your weather across Western Canada.