For the first time this season, there’s a frost warning on the forecast.
Winter is coming, and with Saturday, Oct. 4 expected to see overnight lows of -1°C and some precipitation, it could mean a light dusting of snowfall for Calgary.
On Friday, Oct. 3, there’s additional precipitation in the forecast. With lows of -6°C, it might rain rather than snow, but if the temperature dips below 0°C, it could mean two white nights for the city.
Fall may be nearing its end, but there are plenty of weekend activities to enjoy, despite the frost.
It’s a time to accomplish some important seasonal tasks around the house and to get winter-ready. We’ll go over all that in a moment.
Once you’ve battened down the hatches, you might want to spend the morning taking a stroll by the Bow or Elbow River, or the city’s iconic Glenmore Reservoir. Alternatively, sipping on a tasty, seasonal coffee at a local business might be the cup of warmth you need.
It’s that time of year again, but there are plenty of ways to make the most of an early frost! Here’s what we recommend.
What to expect
According to weather patterns observed by Environment Canada at the Calgary International Airport, our balmy fall will be hit with a wintry rude awakening on Saturday night.
But we could see a few snowflakes even sooner than that. On Friday, Oct. 3, there’s a 30 per cent chance of showers and overnight lows of 6°C. If it dips down even further, we could see that the rain turns to snowfall.
There’s a stronger chance of frost on Saturday night, with the forecast expected to dip to -1°C. Afternoon showers could create a light dusting of snow if things cool down significantly in the early evening.
Be prepared
There are a few things you’re going to want to do in and around the house to prepare for the dip in temperatures.
First, if you have any late-season plants, vegetables, or fruits growing in the garden, cover them up to prevent damage from the frost. A heavy blanket, tarp, or burlap will do the trick, keeping your tender growing plants away from Father Winter.
Pumpkins are especially susceptible to early frost. If you have them growing in the garden, make sure you cover up the tender vines. If you’ve purchased or picked seasonal pumpkins for your doorstep, bring them inside, along with any potted plants that are easy to move. Winter’s chill will turn these orange gourds into a pulpy mush.
If you want to enjoy tulips, daffodils, and other bulb flowers early next spring, now is a good time to get them in the ground before it freezes and gets too cold to work the soil.
You should also turn off your outdoor water sources and faucets for the season, and unscrew your outdoor hose to prevent freezing in the water line. It can cause serious damage to your home if the lines are left on and your pipes freeze with the dip in temperature.
This is also a great time to transition your spring/summer wardrobe to fall and winter. Bring out the cozy sweaters, winter boots, coats, jackets, gloves, and mitts from storage to prepare in advance. You don’t want to get caught out there in the chill!
Inspecting your windows, fireplace, furnace, and other household appliances is also a good idea. Don’t get caught with a faulty furnace once things start to really cool down and our notoriously bitter winters set in.
Ways to beat the chill
A morning walk by the Elbow or Bow River can be an enjoyable thing to do to mark the coming winter. You’re bound to see some trees in these green spaces tinged with frost, and you can catch the last breath of fall at places like Carburn Park and the Glenmore Reservoir.
You could also opt to stroll through Calgary’s first forest bathing trail, located at the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, for a moment of pause and to reflect on the changing seasons.
Birds and other wildlife will be doing their own preparations to store food and other provisions for winter. You can join them by canning some of your own produce and veg, baking up a storm, or dehydrating herbs and other plants for use later this winter.
With Halloween just around the corner, it’s a great weekend to get a head start on candy shopping or test out a few pumpkin-inspired recipes.
Whatever you decide to do, bundle up on Saturday morning as things will be chillier than usual.
Join us in welcoming the end of the season and the start of a new one. Winter is almost here!
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