It is weird out there. Honestly, if you walked outside this morning in Edmonton, AB, expecting the usual mid-January deep freeze, you probably did a double-take at your thermometer. We are currently sitting in the middle of a bizarre weather anomaly.
The Reality of Edmonton AB Weather Today
Today, January 14, 2026, is basically defying every stereotype about northern living. While we usually expect to be huddling indoors with the furnace running overtime, the edmonton ab weather today is serving up a mix of sun and cloud with a high reaching a staggering 9°C.
That is not a typo.
We’re nearly ten degrees above freezing in the dead of winter. It is the kind of day where the snow on your driveway isn’t just melting; it’s practically vanishing into the sewer grates in a muddy rush. You’ve probably noticed the wind picking up too. We are looking at southwest winds hitting about 20 km/h, which is exactly why it feels so much like a spring afternoon instead of a January morning.
Breaking Down the Numbers
Environment Canada is calling for a low of 0°C tonight, which is still incredibly mild. If you compare this to the historical averages—where we typically see highs of -8°C and lows of -16°C—you realize how far off the charts we are.
Two years ago on this exact week, Edmontonians were shivering through -30°C. Today? You can probably leave the heavy parka in the closet and opt for a light layers or a spring jacket.
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It feels good, right?
But there’s a catch.
This kind of "January Thaw" is a classic Prairie phenomenon, often driven by a strong Pacific flow or a "Chinook-adjacent" weather pattern that spills over the Rockies. While Calgary gets the true Chinooks, Edmonton often gets this "Pacific air bleed" that turns our world into a slushy, grey mess.
Why This Warm Spell is Kinda Stressful
Look, everyone loves a break from the cold. But edmonton ab weather today brings its own set of headaches that nobody really talks about until they’re slipping on a patch of black ice.
When the temperature hits 9°C during the day and then drops back toward the freezing mark at night, the "freeze-thaw cycle" goes into overdrive.
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The Pothole Problem
Our roads are taking a beating right now. Water seeps into the cracks in the asphalt during the afternoon melt, and as soon as the sun dips and that water expands into ice, it blows the pavement apart. If you’re driving down Whitemud or Yellowhead today, keep your eyes peeled. Those puddles are often hiding wheel-swallowing craters.
The Slush Factor
Walking the dog today is basically an exercise in laundry management. The city's windrows are weeping, and the sidewalks are a slurry of grey slush, salt, and whatever else was frozen in the ice since December. It is messy. It is damp. And honestly, it is the kind of weather where your "waterproof" boots finally meet their match.
Mental Health and the "Fake Spring"
There is a specific kind of psychological toll that comes with this weather. We call it "Fake Spring." You get a taste of the sun, you see the pavement for the first time in months, and your brain starts thinking about patio season. But we all know the truth: February is lurking.
Historically, Edmonton’s coldest days often hit in early February. Enjoying the edmonton ab weather today requires a certain level of emotional guardedness. Don't put the snow shovel in the shed just yet.
What to Actually Wear Today
Since the UV index is sitting at a 1 (low), you don't need to worry about sunburn, but the fluctuating moisture is the real enemy.
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- The Base Layer: Stick to something moisture-wicking. Even though it's 9°C, if you're active, you might sweat, and once that wind hits you, you'll feel the chill.
- Footwear: Forget the heavy Sorels. Today is a day for waterproof hikers or "muck boots." The goal is to stay dry, not necessarily to stay insulated against -40°C.
- The Shell: A wind-resistant shell is better than a down coat today. That 20 km/h wind from the southwest has a bit of a bite, even if the air itself is warm.
Looking Ahead: Is the Deep Freeze Coming Back?
The short answer? Yes.
While we are basking in this weird warmth right now, the long-term forecasts for 2026 suggest this is a temporary window. The Farmers’ Almanac and regional meteorologists have pointed out that while January has been surprisingly mild across the Prairies, the Arctic oscillation is expected to shift by the end of the month.
We are seeing a trend where the polar vortex stays bottled up north for weeks, then suddenly "spills" southward.
By this weekend, we’re looking at a return to more seasonal temperatures. Sunday’s high is forecasted at -3°C with a low of -10°C. It’s a gentle slide back into reality, but it’s a reminder that winter in Alberta is never truly over until it’s actually May (and even then, it's a toss-up).
Actionable Steps for Today
Don't just sit there and enjoy the sun; take advantage of the melt to make your life easier for when the cold returns.
- Clear Your Drains: If you have a catch basin near your property or a specific spot where water pools on your driveway, clear the slush now. If that water stays there and freezes tonight, you’ll have a private skating rink tomorrow morning.
- Top Up Your Washer Fluid: The "road spray" today is brutal. You’ll go through a gallon of de-icer just trying to see through the salt film on your windshield.
- Check Your Tires: Warm air expands, and cold air contracts. If you haven't checked your tire pressure since the last cold snap, do it today while the air is stable.
- Wash the Undercarriage: All that melting snow is carrying a massive amount of road salt. If you can get to a touchless car wash today, do it. Your wheel wells will thank you.
The edmonton ab weather today is a gift, but it’s a messy one. Wear the light jacket, watch out for the puddles, and keep that ice scraper handy—the freeze is always just a few days away.