Rocky Mountain House, Alberta faces a risk of frost tonight, with temperatures expected to drop to 3°C, according to Environment Canada. The risk of frost could harm gardens and crops that have already been planted for the season.
A day of showery weather with a high of 13°C will give way to partly cloudy skies and fog patches overnight. The frost risk is notable because the growing season is underway, and temperatures near freezing can damage or kill sensitive plants.
Gardeners should cover tender plants with blankets or tarps, or move potted plants indoors. Hardier vegetables like kale, cabbage, and root crops can handle a light frost without much trouble.
The good news is that the weekend will bring a big change. Saturday is forecast to be sunny with a high of 19°C, and Sunday will be even warmer at 24°C under sunny skies. That is a few degrees above normal for this time of year and lines up with a broader summer forecast that calls for a 40 to 70 percent chance of warmer-than-normal weather across Alberta.
The break from the wet weather will be welcome. June is usually the wettest month in Rocky Mountain House, with about 112 mm of precipitation spread over 19 days. But the dry weekend will give residents a chance to enjoy outdoor activities before showers return on Tuesday, when highs will be around 19°C.
A late frost in mid-June is unusual here. The average last spring frost happens between May 21 and May 31, but the area’s high elevation and northern climate mean cold nights can still sneak in even as summer starts.
