You’ve gotta love Calgary. One day you’re sitting on a patio on 17th Ave in a light sweater, and the next, you’re digging through the hall closet for those heavy-duty mittens you swore you wouldn't need yet. Honestly, the 14 day calgary forecast is looking like a textbook case of Alberta weather mood swings.
We just came off a record-shattering Wednesday where the mercury hit a ridiculous 17°C. For context, the "normal" high for mid-January is usually around -3°C. People were literally golfing at the driving range yesterday. But as any local will tell you, the Chinook tax eventually comes due.
The Immediate Outlook: Enjoy the Sun While It Lasts
Right now, we are in a bit of a cooling transition, but it’s still remarkably mild for the dead of winter. Today, Thursday, January 15, we're looking at a high of 37°F (about 3°C) under clear, sunny skies. It’s a bit breezy with north winds at 16 mph, but after that 17°C heatwave, it feels like a standard spring day.
The rest of the week stays pretty cooperative. Tomorrow, Friday, should see a high of 33°F (1°C), and Saturday looks like another beauty with a high of 48°F (9°C). If you’ve been putting off washing the salt off your car, Saturday is your window.
- Thursday (Today): High of 37°F, sunny.
- Friday: High of 33°F, partly sunny.
- Saturday: High of 48°F, sunny and breezy.
Basically, keep the sunglasses out. You won't see much snow through the weekend, though there is a tiny 10% chance of flurries Friday night.
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Why the 14 day calgary forecast Is About to Get Messy
Here’s where things get interesting—and by interesting, I mean "welcome back to actual winter." As we move into next week, that massive ridge of high pressure that’s been hovering over Western Canada is going to break down.
Starting Sunday, January 18, we start seeing the shift. We’re looking at light snow and a high of only 28°F (-2°C). It’s not a blizzard, but with a 20% chance of precipitation throughout the day, those roads are going to get greasy. The freeze-thaw cycle we've had all week has already made side streets a mess of ruts and ice; a fresh dusting of snow on top of that is a recipe for a chaotic Monday commute.
By the time we hit the middle of next week, the "deep freeze" starts knocking.
The Mid-Week Slide
Wednesday, January 21, looks mostly cloudy with a high of 31°F (-1°C). But look at Thursday and Friday. We are talking snow showers and highs dropping to 22°F (-6°C) and then 20°F (-7°C).
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The real kicker? The overnight lows.
By Saturday, January 24, the forecast is calling for a daytime high of 16°F (-9°C) and an overnight low of -14°F (-26°C). That is a massive swing from the double-digit warmth we just experienced. It’s the kind of drop that makes your tire pressure light come on and your car battery start questioning its life choices.
Understanding the La Niña Influence
You might be wondering why we’re seeing such a bizarre stretch. According to the latest ENSO Diagnostic Discussion from NOAA, we are currently under a La Niña Advisory. Historically, La Niña winters in Calgary mean colder-than-average temperatures and more snow.
However, meteorologists have noted that this particular La Niña is weak and expected to transition to "neutral" conditions by the spring. This "weak" status is likely why we’ve seen these intense Chinook interruptions. The polar vortex is active, sending Arctic air south, but the Pacific air is still managing to punch through and give us those weird 17°C days.
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Survival Tips for the Next Two Weeks
Honestly, the biggest risk right now isn't the cold—it's the ice. With all the melting we had on Wednesday, storm drains are clogged and the water has nowhere to go. When it hits -14°F next week, those puddles turn into skating rinks.
- Check your tires now. If you’re still running all-seasons, you’re going to have a rough time when the temperature drops 20 degrees next Thursday.
- Clear your drains. If there’s ice blocking the catch basin in front of your house, take a moment to clear a path while it’s still relatively soft. Your basement will thank you.
- Watch the river. Emergency crews have already been responding to rescues on the Bow River. That record-breaking warmth made the ice extremely unstable. Keep the dogs on a leash and stay off the riverbanks.
- Top up the fluids. Make sure you have winter-grade washer fluid. The slushy mess on the Deerfoot this weekend will go through a whole jug in one trip.
Calgary weather is a marathon, not a sprint. We’ve had our little mid-January "summer" break, but the data shows winter is far from over. Keep the parka handy—you’re going to need it by next Thursday.
Actionable Next Steps: Check your vehicle's battery health and tire pressure this weekend while it is still above freezing. If your battery is more than 3-4 years old, the -26°C lows predicted for next weekend could leave you stranded.