STORM WATCH: Messy system bringing rain and strong winds to eastern Canada

Wednesday, December 24, 2014, 7:01 PM - Christmas Eve was wet and foggy for people from Ontario to the Maritimes, but the true threat of the system impacting eastern Canada is just getting started.

Meteorologists are warning of powerful winds of up to 100 km/h in the worst-hit areas, potentially on a par with the November windstorm that left thousands of people without power in Ontario.

Here's a region-by-region breakdown of what's coming down, and when you should expect it.

NORTHERN ONTARIO AND THE NICKEL BELT

• How it plays out: A snowy Christmas Eve is in store for areas north of Sudbury, lasting through to the morning, when strong winds could make for blowing snow. But that switchover happens overnight after several hours of at-times heavy rain that has sparked rainfall warnings. Snow and rain tapers off through Boxing Day. Snowfall warnings overlap with rainfall warnings in Sudbury.
• Wind: Not as strong as elsewhere in the storm's coverage area, but hefty gusts may result in blowing snow.
• Snow: Accumulations of 25 cm possible for areas around Timmins, with lesser amounts for other communities. See map.
• Rain: 25-40  mm is possible in the worst-hit areas, with some periods of freezing rain or a rain-snow mix.

SOUTHERN ONTARIO

• How it plays out: Rain continues through the night into Christmas Day before tapering off Boxing Day. A powerful low is intensifying, dropping 20 mb in 24 hours. Thunderstorms are also possible overnight across almost all of the south of the province, likeliest in the southwest.
• Wind: After picking up Christmas Eve, the heaviest winds will be Christmas Day. Gusts of up to 100 km/h possible in communities along the lakes, including parts of Toronto. Prepare for potentially widespread power outages.
• Rain: General amounts of 15-30 mm possible, with up to 25 mm possible from Parry Sound north to Sudbury, as well as areas around the Bruce Peninsula.
• Snow: Rain-snow mix possible southwest and GTA outskirts, particularly the early morning hours of Christmas Day. Light dusting of snow possible for Grey-Bruce and Cottage Country.

QUEBEC

• How it plays out: Rain continues through the night into Christmas morning, with some periods of freezing rain for more easterly areas. 
• Winds: Gusts could reach 90 km/h throughout Christmas Day.
• Snow: Little accumulation likely in the south.
• Rain: Amounts could reach 40 mm locally, and up to 60 mm along the lower north shore of the St. Lawrence.

ATLANTIC CANADA:

• How it plays out: Wide array of warnings are in place for Atlantic Canada. Freezing rain in more northerly areas of New Brunswick, which will switch to rain in the overnight hours. Rain continues in all areas Christmas Day, tapering off Boxing Day morning. Heavy rain and freezing rain possible in western Newfoundland also. Newfoundland in general is looking at a stormy Christmas Day evening.
• Wind: Strong southeasterly winds start Christmas Eve night, strengthening Christmas Day. Gusts up to 100 km/h are possible in southwestern Newfoundland, also strong elsewhere.
• Rain: 45-60 mm for southern Nova Scotia, southwest New Brunswick and southwestern Newfoundland, lesser amounts elsewhere across the region. Heightened flood risk due to saturated ground.
• Snow: Due to warm temperatures and rainfall, little snow will accumulate.

STORM WATCH: Tune in to The Weather Network on TV for updates on this potentially powerful system.