'From one extreme to another': Balmy temperatures set to thaw Alberta this weekend

Time to unplug the block heater, turn down the thermostat a titch and fire up the BBQ for an afternoon of mid-winter sunbathing.

After enduring a 10-day, bone-chilling cold snap, Albertans can look forward to a balmy weekend of spring-like temperatures.

The polar vortex that sent the province into a deep freeze has officially ended and the forecast across the province is forunseasonablewarmth in the days ahead.

In Edmonton, afternoon highs of up to 9 C are expected Sunday. In Calgary, it will be sunny and clear with daytime temperatures expected to reach 7 C by Sunday.

Average temperatures for Alberta this time of year usually hover around -2 C.

"Our weekend forecast has some parts of the province more than 10C above normal," Environment Canada tweetedThursday.

"A warm west wind will bring temperatures above zero almost everywhere by Sunday. Hold onto your hats though, it could get pretty windy."

The temperate climes areastark contrast to temperatures seen earlier this month. A brutal cold front movedinas temperatures plunged to around -30 Cwith biting winds that made it feel more like -40. At times, it was warmer atthe North Pole than inEdmonton.

• Polar vortex will bring North Pole cold to Alberta this weekend

According to Environment Canada, betweenFeb.6 andFeb.15, at least 100 daily minimum temperature records were broken in the province.

Environment Canada's meteorologists noted suchtemperature swings are the normforAlberta winters.

"From one extreme to another = winter in Alberta," Environment Canada tweeted.

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