Winter is once again set to make its presence felt in the West Central region as we head into the Family Day long weekend. A string of up and down weather will be felt starting Thursday before another cold snap settles in beginning on Sunday.  

Temperatures will reach above zero on Thursday before dipping back below seasonal for Friday, and once again rise to positive temperatures on Saturday before ultimately settling into the expected cold snap. 

Terri Lang, meteorologist with Environment Canada says the forecasted temperatures are a result of multiple weather patterns moving through the province.    

“We're on a bit of a roller coaster over the next couple days because we have two other systems moving through. One is moving through today, so we'll see a little bit of a warm up. Some snow with that, some wind with that, so maybe some localized blowing and drifting snow today.” 

Lang added the two systems will bring with them limited moisture, but the combination of warmer temperatures, cold nights and precipitation could make for slick driving conditions. 

“When the wind shifts around, we'll see the temperatures dive down again, probably not get much snow, so there won't be much to blow around, but the roads are really going to ice up pretty quickly, especially if it does rain and then once that big cold push comes in overnight Saturday into Sunday, we'll get into the Arctic air and looks like we're going to stay there for the better part of next week.” 

The cold snap is expected to last throughout the majority of next week with nighttime temperatures reaching well below freezing before the windchill is factored in.