The weather forecast for May Long Weekend 2020 seems pretty typical for Alberta: As of today, Wednesday, May 13th, the forecast calls for mostly clear skies and sunshine until Sunday, where Mother Nature likely won't let us enjoy the long weekend without some clouds and rain.

With the first official camping long weekend coming up people who have been isolated these last few months are probably itching to get out and enjoy some wilderness, even though public health orders have greatly limited where you can camp and how many people can be there at any given time. So be sure to call ahead, make reservations, or check the Government of Alberta’s website before you head out.

Weather-wise, it wouldn’t be May Long weekend without some uncertainty in the forecast, and as of Wednesday, that’s exactly what we have.  

Warning Preparedness Meteorologist for Environment and Climate Change Canada Natalie Hasell says seeing sunshine and sudden rainstorms in the same day is pretty common for this time of year, and shouldn't be too unexpected for campers.

She says as of the time this story has been published, we’re expecting sunshine with a high of 22 for Saturday, but unfortunately, that won’t last the entire weekend.

“And then the next system comes through and we see increasing in clouds on Sunday and then rain, let’s call it a chance of showers, but our model looks like it might be more than just a chance. So, some showers activity starting in the evening on Sunday and continuing all the way to Tuesday. So the long part of May long, looks wet. Not that people haven’t camped in the rain before or done whatever it is they do on May long in the rain this being the prairies and the Alberta foothills and the complicated topography that we have to deal with and what’s just west of us (mountains) at least, can certainly lead to lots of quick changes in the weather. Unfortunately, we are seeing a shift in the next low pressure system which will get into your (Red Deer, Lacombe) part of the province.”

Hasell says she also looks at the trends for the rest of May, June and July to predicate what our average forecast will be. So far, she says there is nothing too remarkable in our forecast and it'll be an average end to our spring and start of our summer, meaning it should be not too hot but not too cold, with hopefully just enough precipitation to keep the farmers happy.

“The trend suggested here has not much of a trend for most of Central Alberta, but southern Alberta has a suggestion of above normal temperatures for May, June and July. We do have a precipitation forecast, and parts of Central Alberta have a suggestion of above-normal precipitation but not a very strong signal. And then for the rest of Central and southern Alberta, there isn’t a trend, it could go either way. So again, expect variability, you’ll see low and high-pressure systems go through the area and affected the area as is typical for these systems. It might come out to normal, it might come out to above, it might come out to below, but do expect some precipitation over the next three months as one would normally see.”

Along with the rain showers, Hasell also reminds everyone that we are also at the start of the thunderstorm season, and to make sure you take any of the necessary precautions to protect yourself from high and sudden winds, sudden rainfall, and lightning strikes.

For more details on that, you can check out the lightning section of Canada’s Environment and Climate Change Services.