Snowbirds' Newfoundland flyover delayed due to weather
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds have delayed their planned flyover of parts of Newfoundland Monday afternoon because of weather concerns.
The show is a cross-Canada salute to those doing their part to limit the spread of COVID-19, and according to the Snowbirds Twitter account, the team expected to be flying above St. John's at around 3:00 p.m., and had planned to travel across other parts of the province as well.
SEE ALSO: Snowbirds took to Nova Scotia, New Brunswick skies on Sunday
But the Snowbirds announced they're staying on the ground for 24 hours at CFB Greenwood base in Nova Scotia due to the weather in Newfoundland. In a separate tweet, the Snowbirds cited potential snow at their base in Gander as a reason for delaying the flight.
"Our base is in Gander and their weather is not great. We are unable to overnight on the island outside of our own military accommodations due to travel restrictions," the tweet read.
The Snowbirds began their tour earlier this week with flyovers in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, and will continue to travel west after their scheduled flight in Newfoundland.
"We not only want to salute the front-line health-care workers, first responders, and essential workers, but also all Canadians doing their part to stop the spread of COVID-19," Lt.-Col Mike French, commanding officer of the Snowbirds said in a news release. "We want Canadians to know we're in this with you."
INCOMING INCLEMENT WEATHER
Jody Boyd, meteorologist at the Gander Weather Office, said conditions looked promising for the event — mainly cloudy today, but with the sun peeking out now and then. However, he said the forecast for the rest of the week could leave a very small window of opportunity.
The Snowbirds had planned to fly over Newfoundland and Labrador as part of Operation Inspiration, saluting those doing their part to fight the spread of COVID-19. (Vishnu Gajadhar/CBC)
"We have some rain moving in, and then tomorrow for southeastern Newfoundland it's looking like a pretty soggy day. Rain and fog, 20 to 30 mm for the northern Avalon," Boyd told The St. John's Morning Show.
"And it's going to be windy as well," he said. "Today is looking like a much better day than tomorrow."
If the scheduled flight goes ahead Tuesday, the Snowbirds are asking the public to stay home while they watch the planes in order to maintain physical distancing and limit the spread of the virus.
LABRADOR FLYOVER HAPPENING
Meanwhile in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, members of 5 Wing Goose Bay and the 444 Combat Support Squadron will be conducting a helicopter flyover of their own on Monday, to recognize local essential and frontline workers in the community.
A Griffon helicopter is scheduled to pass over the Labrador Health Centre and the Happy Valley-Goose Bay RCMP detachment sometime after 12:15 p.m. local time.
Thumbnail courtesy of Vishnu Gajadhar/CBC.
With files from The St. John's Morning Show.
The story was originally published for CBC.ca.
