Freezing rain risk in Atlantic Canada after snow filled week

Friday, February 21, 2014, 9:56 AM -

Winter weather has been relentless across Atlantic Canada this year, and the end to this week will be no exception.

The same system that's brought heavy rain and slick driving conditions to southern Ontario will continue to push east into the Maritimes Friday.

Ahead of this storm, Environment Canada issued a freezing rain warning for all three Maritime provinces.

Precipitation is expected to begin later Friday, with an extended period of freezing rain likely in some places.

In central and northern New Brunswick, between 5-10 cm of snow could accumulate before a change to freezing rain or ice pellets. 

"A prolonged period of freezing rain is expected over central portions of New Brunswick while further north the precipitation is expected to remain mostly as snow and ice pellets," EC says. 

Damaging wind gusts over 100 km/h are expected in parts of Nova Scotia as well.

"As the front approaches Cape Breton, strong southeasterly winds gusting to 130 km/h are expected to develop in the lee of the highlands," EC warns. "These winds will diminish Saturday morning."

Strong winds are also forecast in Newfoundland, especially in the Channel-Port Aux Basques region where a Wreckhouse warning has been issued for Saturday morning.

Snow will develop in southwestern Newfoundland early Saturday, with up to 15 cm possible in the hardest hit areas.

This latest wintry blast comes after multiple storms brought heavy snow to the region this week, prompting several schools to shut their doors for two days in a row.

So far this February, nearly 100 cm of snow has been recorded across the Atlantic provinces, including in Charlottetown, PEI where 98 cm has piled up.

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