Calgary was the hot spot in Alberta on Thursday with a high of 6.5 C, and warmer weather is still to come.
An unusual trend will kick off across southern Alberta Sunday, producing daytime highs of at least 7 C in Calgary and lows that will hover around the freezing mark.
For comparison, the average range of temperatures this time of year is -3 C and -15 C.
The main weathermaker is a ridge of high pressure from the Pacific basin.
Warm air is expected to funnel across the southern Rockies, elevating temperatures and producing strong winds.
The start of the weekend will be more moderate as a surface trough originating from the north begins to track east.
Where the western edge cuts across Alberta strong northwesterly winds will develop, peaking around 30 to 50 km/h in Calgary for much of the day on Friday.
Saturday will include more sunshine across southern Alberta compared to Friday as that westerly flow begins across the southwest.
Remaining snow will continue to melt with the warmer temperatures and west winds, and even though overnight temperatures will remain at or above freezing at times, some of that pooled water will ice up on surfaces like sidewalks, parking lots and shadier areas.
