First day of fall comes with snowy forecast for Calgary

Today marks the first day of fall,and there's already a potentially nasty forecast for Calgary.

"It's going to be a pretty swift turn from fall to some wintry weather by the weekend," said CBC meteorologist Christy Climenhaga on theCalgary Eyeopener.

Expect snowfall to blanket the city beginning Friday and continuing through the weekend, thanks toasurge of arctic air that will roll through the province, dropping temperatures to right around the freezing mark.

Climenhaga said it's difficult to pin down accumulations, but Calgarians should expect to do some shovelling.

It's not unusual for Calgary to receive snowfall in September, which has a monthly average ofaround four centimetres, she added.

• SEPT. 18, 2018:Calgary gets dusting of snow as snowfall warnings end for Banff, Jasper national parks
• OCT. 2, 2018:Record snowfall wallops Calgary in 1st storm of season

"This may look like a scary weekend, but I do have a feeling you'll get some warmer days again."

Climenhaga said most models are calling for a warmerthan usual fall in much of Western Canada,including southern Alberta.

"When all is said and done, averages for the entire season dolook to fall in that warmer-than-normal range," she said.

With files from theCalgary Eyeopener.