10-20+ cm: Impactful winter storm targets Atlantic Canada
A late-March winter storm looks to impact parts of Atlantic Canada into early next week, bringing 10-20+ cm of snow for some areas, with likely travel disruptions
We're only one day into spring and Atlantic Canada is already looking at a significant winter storm early next week.
The snow will come courtesy of two low-pressure systems that will blend together. Snow will push into the Maritimes on late Sunday and Newfoundland on Monday.
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Totals of 10-20+ cm are looking most likely across Nova Scotia, with locally more for Newfoundland through Monday. Expect difficult travel as winds and snow will make for reduced visibility and slippery roads.
Sunday: Snow pushes into the Maritimes
With the Halifax, N.S., area already reporting average amounts of snowfall for an entire March (33 cm), we’re guaranteed to see above-average snowfall as another low-pressure system develops this weekend.
Although the storms haven’t packed the same high totals as February delivered, those in Atlantic Canada know late March can still deliver harsh winter reminders.
Snowiest March days this year
March 4: 11 cm
March 14: 11 cm
March 13: 4.4 cm
On Sunday, a weak disturbance moves into the Atlantic from New England, spreading snow along the warm front across the southwestern Maritimes.
By Sunday night, snowfall becomes steady across the South Shore of Nova Scotia. Winds along the coast pick up to 30-60 km/h, increasing the risk for reduced visibility and local, blowing snow conditions.
Monday and Tuesday: More disruptions likely as snow pushes east
On Monday, snow has the potential to mix with ice pellets along the coast as temperatures hover near the freezing mark. However, locales inland will remain as all snowfall.
Snowfall lightens across the Halifax area, but remains locally heavy across southeastern Nova Scotia, including southern Cape Breton, where more bursts of heavy snow are forecast through Monday evening.
Very little snowfall accumulation is expected for New Brunswick and P.E.I. Up to 5 cm is possible for southwestern New Brunswick and 1-3 cm for P.E.I.
Heavier, widespread totals of 10-15 cm are forecast for most of Nova Scotia from Sunday night to Monday night. Lower totals are expected for the Annapolis Valley and those near the Northumberland Strait.
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As the low passes northeast of Sable Island, the warm front lifts across Newfoundland on Monday night, providing some of the heaviest snowfall rates of the entire event.
Snow is likely turning to a wintry mix across the Avalon Peninsula and southern regions by early Tuesday morning.
Locally, more than 30 cm of snowfall is possible across central Newfoundland and regions that see the heaviest swath, but the forecast is of lower confidence as of Saturday.
St. John’s is now at around 10 cm of snow in the forecast, but that could change depending on the exact track. A farther, southern track could give St. John’s more than 20 cm of snowfall, but if it tracks northwest, lower totals are expected.
On Tuesday, most of the Avalon has the opportunity to transition over to rain in the warm sector, while a wintry mix and snow is ongoing across central and western regions.
The low lifts across the province, deepening to 975 mb, sparking the threat for gusty winds. Gusts of 70-90+ km/h wind gusts are possible through Tuesday.
Beyond, there will be the chance of another high-impact and messy system late next week.