Major storm cuts power, closes schools in Atlantic Canada

Thursday, February 25, 2016, 12:51 PM - A major system that developed stateside has brought widespread issues across eastern Canada. After starting as snow, several areas saw a transition to rain, ice pellets and extended periods of freezing rain in some places.

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Many schools across New Brunswick were forced to close early Thursday after a night of freezing rain resulted in dangerous driving conditions and power outages. 

By 7 am local time, over 13,000 customers across the province were without power.

A freezing rain warning remained in place for northern sections of the province Thursday morning with significant ice build up expected.

"A warm front has reached southern New Brunswick last night. Freezing rain ahead of the front will affect northernmost regions of the province and is expected to persist until later this morning," said Environment Canada in the warning. "Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots will become icy, slippery and extremely hazardous."

Several travel warnings were issued on provincial highways with ice patches and pooling water an issue. 

In addition to the icy and deteriorating conditions, periods of thunder and lightning were reported in areas north of Fredericton.

Crews responded to a lightning strike near the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station Thursday morning after a service building close by was hit.

A smoke alarm prompted the response, but NB Power said the lightning strike had no impact on the operation of the facility.

"Plant safely operating at 100% power," tweeted NB Power.

"Heavy rain will continue throughout the day along with crazy mild temperatures into the teens," says Weather Network meteorologist Brett Soderholm. "20-30 mm of rain is expected widespread across the Maritimes, while parts of southern Newfoundland could see up to 50 mm of rain."

Localized flooding in low-lying areas is possible with the rain.

"If visibility is reduced while driving, turn on your lights and maintain a safe following distance," warns EC. "Don't approach washouts near rivers, creeks and culverts."

High pressure will then dominate for the next several days, leading to clear conditions with much cooler temperatures.

"Several places will be losing 5C per day on average," Soderholm says.

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