Everything you need to know about the upcoming spring snowstorm in Alberta

Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued a Special Weather Statement for a large chunk of Alberta.

The advisory includes areas from Grande Prairie east to Cold Lake. The southern edge of the statement includes Banff and Airdrie areas east toward Oyen.

Snow will start in western and northwestern parts of the advisory area late Wednesday and then move east Wednesday night and through the day Thursday.

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Total snowfall amounts will vary, but most areas will see between five and 20 centimetres of snow by early Friday morning.

The worst driving conditions will be Wednesday night in western and northwestern Alberta, through the day Thursday for the Edmonton region and central parts of the province and in the afternoon hours of Thursday for eastern Alberta.

Here’s a preliminary storm timeline for the Edmonton region:

We’ll update that storm outlook Wednesday, but that’s roughly how we’re anticipating it to develop as of now.

The heaviest snow for the Edmonton region is expected to start early Thursday morning.

Periods of freezing rain are also possible near or south of Edmonton late Wednesday night and/or the early-morning hours of Thursday before it completely flips over to snow.

Wind will also be a factor with this snowstorm. Gusts in the 30 to 50 km/h range will create reduced visibility in blowing snow.

The Special Weather Statement will be upgraded to Warnings for some areas on Wednesday as the system develops and confidence in snowfall accumulations increases.

Tune in to CTV News at 5 and 6 p.m. for the latest.