Atlantic Canada braces for high winds this weekend
Some cities could see their strongest wind gusts since the beginning of the year
Brace for blustery conditions this weekend as a developing system buffets parts of Atlantic Canada with some of the region’s strongest wind gusts since early this year.
Winds will pick up across the Maritimes on Saturday before shifting east toward Newfoundland into Sunday.
Prepare for potential power outages and tree damage.
DON’T MISS: Canada records its first -30°C temperature of the season, but this is late
Maritimes: Cold front to bring gusty winds
This weekend’s active weather will start with a cold front sweeping into the Maritimes during the day Saturday.
Temperatures will remain on the chilly side behind the front, and conditions will feel even chillier as the winds pick up. Northerly winds will pick up across the Maritimes beginning Saturday morning.
New Brunswick could see 50-60 km/h gusts, while Prince Edward Island is in line for wind gusts up to 75 km/h. Folks across Nova Scotia could see 50-70 km/h gusts, with the northern shorelines seeing winds potentially peak at 80 km/h.
These winds in the Maritimes will simmer down heading into Saturday evening.
Newfoundland: Winds pick up Saturday into Sunday
We’ll see northerly winds reach western and northern Newfoundland on Saturday afternoon. Gusts of 90 km/h are possible along the shorelines, while winds could reach 60 km/h across inland sections of the island.
Those winds will intensify as they shift east toward Gander and the Avalon Peninsula through the overnight hours. Gusts of 80-100 km/h are expected overnight into Sunday.
St. John’s is in line for blustery conditions that could reach 90-100 km/h at times. This would be the city’s first wind gust stronger than 90 km/h since March 12, 2024. The strongest wind we’ve seen in St. John’s so far this year was 102 km/h back on January 19.
This system will also bring its share of precipitation alongside the high winds.
The heaviest snow will fall from Gander toward the Great Northern Peninsula, while areas southeast see mostly rain. It’s going to be a close call, though—a temperature shift of just 1°C could determine whether the Avalon sees accumulating snow near the end of the system.
Stay with The Weather Network for all the latest on conditions across Atlantic Canada.
