Powerful winter storm to bring strong winds, storm surge to Atlantic Canada
The holiday weekend will be far from jolly for Eastern Canada, weather-wise, as a sprawling winter storm will trek through the region with widespread snowfall, rain, ice and intense winds.
Millions of people across North America will be under the effects of a significant winter storm this holiday weekend, including Atlantic Canada.
A large, low-pressure system will progress towards the East Coast for the end of the week, delivering significant rainfall, some ice and snow, as well as powerful winds -- persisting into the weekend. The poorly timed storm will certainly throw a wrench into people's holiday excursions.
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The region is blanketed by special weather statements as the storm will affect much of it through the weekend. People can expect difficult, potentially hazardous travel through the duration of the storm.
The leading edge of the storm will arrive Friday, spreading a risk for freezing rain, ice pellets and snow across New Brunswick. Moderate rainfall is expected farther south, and across Nova Scotia and P.E.I.
Rainfall totals of 30-60 mm is forecast for southwestern New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and southern Newfoundland.
Winds will intensify across the Maritimes Friday, with gusts locally hitting 80-100+km/h, especially along the coastline. Some localized power outages are possible.
In terms of snowfall, the heaviest amounts will stay north of the region with 25-50 cm anticipated for the Gaspé Peninsula in Quebec. However, northern New Brunswick is still on the hook for a hefty 15-30 cm by the time the storm concludes. Western Newfoundland will also see a fair amount, potentially in the 10-20 cm range.
For Newfoundland, snow and freezing rain will change to rain on Saturday, with showers lingering into Sunday. Significant ice accretion is possible for western and central Newfoundland before the changeover to rain.
Temperatures Friday in southwestern Nova Scotia could climb into the low double digits, or even the low teens, as a mild, surge of moisture forces its way north.
Temperatures will fall across the region into the holiday long weekend, with several days of colder but more seasonal weather after Dec. 25, then turning mild again by New Year's Eve.
Stay tuned to The Weather Network for the latest forecast details for Atlantic Canada.
