Snowfall warnings issued for parts of southern Alberta

After basking in weeks of warm weather, southern Alberta residents may need to dig out their shovels this weekend as parts of the region could receive up to 20 centimetres of snow.

Environment Canada said Friday it expects some area to begin seeing heavy snow tonight, with between 10 and 20 cm of snow to fall by Sunday morning. 

"The first significant snow of the season will fall this weekend," the agency said.

The warning was issued for the following areas:

Environment Canada expects rain showers or snow flurries in those areas will change to snow and intensify Friday evening. It warned that people should prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions.

"Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow," it said. "Take frequent breaks and avoid strain when clearing snow."