Snow and cold air ooze back into Alberta after this week's double-digit days

After whopping, double-digit, mid-December temperatures in Calgary this week, colder, more seasonal air will return to the city, and province, for Thursday –– bringing daytime high values back to reality.

With the more realistic weather situation in Alberta reappearing, a clipper will develop and bring snowfall once again to parts of the province.

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The system will brush southern sections of the province with 5-10 cm of snow. Slippery roads could make for tricky travel, so plan ahead and adjust to rapidly changing conditions.

Brace for changing conditions as snow returns Thursday

The QE2, from Calgary to Edmonton, and across the Yellowhead Highway, appear the most at risk for accumulating snowfall, with the highest amounts around Red Deer and east.

A swath of 5-10 cm of snow is expected from Jasper through Red Deer and into Stettler.

There is still uncertainty where the heaviest snow will fall, but around Red Deer seems the most probable, risking a tricky evening commute.

Going somewhere? Check out the current highway conditions before heading out!

Snow begins later in the morning Thursday, and will linger throughout the day.

Any snow that falls may not stick around very long, however, with another mild air push forecast this weekend.

A rather quiet pattern is expected late this week through the next, with no major storms expected. Places that do not have snow on the ground at the end of this week are expected to remain brown through Christmas –– including some places that typically see a white Christmas, such as Regina and Saskatoon, Sask.

For a look at what Alberta can expect during the winter, check out The Weather Network's seasonal outlook, here.

Stay tuned to The Weather Network for the latest forecast updates for Alberta.