Updated on Jan. 13, 2026, 2:06 AM
Southern Alberta is on the table for possibly recording Canada’s first 20-degree day of the year on Wednesday, and it’s only mid-January
After parts of Eastern Canada experienced a January thaw last week, it’s the West’s turn for a warm-up this week.
Mild Pacific air will send temperatures rising to well above freezing across all of Alberta, and most of Saskatchewan. Temperatures should reach the high teens across parts of southern Alberta on Wednesday.
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In fact, Alberta could snag Canada’s first 20-degree reading this year, an astonishing feat for January, if it comes to fruition. As no surprise, if it occurs, it would put Alberta January records at peril of falling.
Could Alberta snag Canada’s first 20°C of the year…in January?
A strong ridge of high pressure is moving up the West Coast, affecting Alberta this week.
The ridge is carrying unusually warm temperatures just above the surface. If those mix to the ground, only about a kilometre or two, all-time January temperature records across southern Alberta will be at risk.
Regions south of Calgary, Alta., are forecast to reach the high teens on Wednesday afternoon–with room to get even warmer.