Weekend Ready: wind in Alberta, rain east, Remembrance Day

Weekend Ready is our Friday guide to the weather, roads and dates that matter before you head out. Forecasts below are from Environment Canada as issued Friday morning, Nov. 6.

Wind is the main hazard in Alberta this weekend, rain is forecast for Halifax and parts of Ontario and Quebec, and Remembrance Day falls on Wednesday, Nov. 11, with the national ceremony in Ottawa starting at about 10:30 a.m. Eastern.

Environment Canada had a yellow wind warning in effect for Calgary on Friday, set to expire at about 7:30 p.m. local time. Its Calgary forecast still calls for winds out of the west at 70 km/h gusting to 90 near midnight, easing by Saturday noon. Saturday is mainly sunny with a high of 13, and Sunday is sunny with a high of 14.

Edmonton is forecast to see west winds of 50 km/h gusting to 80 overnight into Saturday morning, then easing near noon. The city is mainly sunny Saturday with a high of 11, and has a mix of sun and cloud Sunday with the same high. Drivers of high-profile vehicles and anyone towing a trailer should plan around the overnight gusts.

In Winnipeg, Saturday is a mix of sun and cloud with a high of 13, and Sunday is sunny with a high of 9. Friday’s wind chill was minus 12 in the morning, a reminder that the cold is close.

British Columbia’s South Coast gets the wet end of the week first. Environment Canada forecast 15 to 25 millimetres of rain in Vancouver on Friday, with southeast winds gusting to 50 km/h and to 70 near the Strait of Georgia. Saturday brings a 40 per cent chance of showers and a high of 14, and showers return Saturday night with windy conditions. Sunday is cloudy with a 30 per cent chance of showers and a high of 12. Road conditions on the province’s highways are posted at DriveBC.

Southern Ontario is cloudy and damp but mild by November standards. Toronto has a few showers ending Saturday afternoon with a high of 11, then a cloudy, windy Sunday with a high of 10. Ottawa has a 60 per cent chance of showers Saturday with a high of 10, and a mix of sun and cloud Sunday with a high of 9. Ontario highway conditions are on 511 Ontario.

Montreal is cloudy Saturday with a 40 per cent chance of showers and a high of 9, followed by periods of rain Saturday night. Sunday is cloudy with a high of 10 and showers by night.

Halifax has the steadiest rain. Environment Canada forecast 5 to 10 millimetres Saturday, with fog patches and a risk of a thundershower in the afternoon, and more rain Sunday with a high of 12.

No snow is in the weekend forecast for any of the eight cities we checked, which are Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax. That does not cover mountain passes, the North or higher terrain, where conditions can differ. In Alberta, check 511 Alberta, and in Manitoba check Manitoba 511 before long drives. Tire rules differ by province, and our guide to winter tire laws lists them.

Remembrance Day is Wednesday. The Royal Canadian Legion, which organizes the National Remembrance Day Ceremony at the National War Memorial, said the program begins at approximately 10:30 a.m., with two minutes of silence at 11 a.m. Veterans taking part in the march are to form up at 10:10 a.m. in front of the Chateau Laurier, 1 Rideau St., and step off at 10:30 a.m.

The Legion said national news networks will carry the ceremony live and that it will also stream on its Facebook page. It said road closures around the memorial will affect traffic and OC Transpo service, and it links details on its site. People attending in person should check the closures before leaving.

The Legion also lists local ceremonies hosted by its branches across the country on its Remembrance Day page. In Hamilton, services and a King Street closure are set for the day, and this year’s National Silver Cross Mother is Virginia Hicks.

Weather on Wednesday is still several days out and will change. Environment Canada’s current forecast has Ottawa at a high of 6 with a mix of sun and cloud and a 30 per cent chance of showers, Toronto cloudy with a high of 7, Edmonton at 14 with sun and cloud, and rain in Vancouver with a high of 13. Anyone standing outside for the two minutes of silence should dress for the temperature at the time.

Last week’s edition covered the Halloween chill, the time change and tire rules.

If you find reporting like this useful, consider supporting Canada News Media, an independent Canadian newsroom with no corporate parent.

Want to present Weekend Ready? Email [email protected].