Brief: Record warmth in the west, blizzard watch in the east

Friday, January 29, 2016, 11:07 AM - After parts of the Prairies wrote a new page in the record book for temperatures well above seasonal, Atlantic Canadians are hunkering down for yet another doozy winter storm. Here's your Friday weather brief.

Atlantic Canada

• Newfoundland: Widespread warnings were issued ahead of a major winter storm that's bringing everything from rain to freezing rain and heavy snow with blizzard conditions. Upwards of 40 cm of snow could fall across Newfoundland through Saturday with wind gusts over 100 km/h likely. Get the full details here.
• Maritimes: The same system will impact the Maritimes with heavy snow and Cape Breton, Nova Scotia likely taking the greatest hit. Up to 30 cm of snow is forecast along with gusty winds and blowing snow. 

Ontario & Quebec

• Ontario: It's actually feeling like winter across Ontario with frigid wind chills engulfing the region. The coldest air is being felt in northern regions with places like Timmins wake up to -40 wind chills Friday. A series of systems will impact the province through the weekend with another shot of snow moving in late Friday night and rain and warmer temperatures expected by Sunday. You can find the snowfall totals here.
• Quebec: Montreal and the eastern townships could see around 5 cm of snow before temperatures rise throughout the St. Lawrence Valley for Sunday. "The next system moves into southern Ontario Sunday morning, bringing warm temperatures and light rain, reaching Ottawa/Montreal by late afternoon," says Weather Network meteorologist Kevin MacKay.

Western Canada

• Prairies: After double digit, and even record breaking high temperatures in southern Alberta and Saskatchewan on Thursday, temperatures are set to drop closer to the freezing mark Friday. "The risk for freezing rain in the Winnipeg area diminishes Friday afternoon as the clipper moves into northwestern Ontario," says MacKay. "An Arctic high develops in the north, dropping temperatures across the Prairies over the weekend and throughout early next week."
• British Columbia: A wet and dreary week in B.C. will end on a wet and dreary note. "Showers are forecast throughout the day for Vancouver and Vancouver Island with an additional 15-25 mm expected," MacKay says. "Freezing levels dropping in the mountains as a widespread 5 cm of snow moves across the Interior late day on Friday."