Josh Classen's forecast: Snowfall warning today, then an end to the cold spell this weekend

Snow day today, then the warm up begins tomorrow CTV Edmonton's Cory Edel has your Wednesday forecast.

Edmonton and area is under a snowfall warning that extends northwest toward the Grande Prairie/Hinton areas, south towards Red Deer and ESE towards the Lloydminster and Medicine Hat regions.

In general, 10-15 cm is expected within the warning zone, but there are some spots between Coronation and Medicine Hat that could see a bit more.

For Edmonton...8-12 cm looks likely with the heaviest snow falling through the first half of the day and then snow tapering off this afternoon and evening.

Wind speeds near 15 km/h through this morning will back off by midday.

Temperatures should hold steady around -18 C for most of the day.

Extreme cold warnings are in effect across northern Alberta this morning as temperatures have dropped into the -30s in many areas and although the wind isn't much stronger than 5-15 km/h, wind chill is near -40 in a few spots.

Temperatures should climb slightly through the day, but Thursday morning could see temperatures in the -30s and wind chill near -40 in northeastern Alberta.

The cold spell continues through Thursday and Friday morning in the Edmonton area.

We'll have mornings near -20 C both days. Afternoon temperatures get to the -15 C range Thursday and then around -10 C Friday afternoon.

Saturday's the winter solstice, the official start of winter and the shortest "day" of the year.

It's also the day we get back to around average (high near -5 C).

A warming trend kicks in for early next week and daytime highs will be right around 0 C for Mon-Fri of next week.

Sunday's still a little uncertain, but we'll be somewhere between 0 and -5 C for an afternoon high.

So...we get a snow day today and possibly a bit of light snow early Friday morning.

But, get through to the weekend and it looks like we'll get into a sunnier and warmer pattern.

Here's the forecast for Edmonton and area:

Today - 8 to 12 cm of snow. Snow, heavy at times in the morning.

Snow tapering off late in the afternoon.

Temperature steady near -18 through most of the day.

Tonight - 30% chance of flurries this evening, cloudy overnight.

9pm: -19

Thursday - Mix of sun & cloud.

Morning Low: -20

Afternoon High: -16

Friday - Mostly cloudy. 30% chance of flurries or light snow in the morning.

Morning Low: -18

Afternoon High: -9

Saturday - Mix of sun & cloud.

WINTER SOLSTICE

Morning Low: -16

Afternoon High: -5

Sunday - Partly cloudy.

Morning Low: -14

Afternoon High: -3

Monday - Partly cloudy.

Morning Low: -10

Afternoon High: 0