Intensifying low set to blast Atlantic Canada with heavy snow, damaging winds
Special weather statements already line the Maritimes for a high-impact winter storm that's sweeping through much of Eastern Canada this week. Snowfall totals could be significant
It's the calm before another storm. After a few days of mostly fair and cold weather through mid-week, eyes then turn to a couple of high impact winter storms that will move through Atlantic Canada as we head into the weekend.
The first is a Texas low, which is expected to sweep across the Great Lakes and into southern Quebec, bringing major snow totals as it moves. As it enters into Atlantic Canada and merges with a new low that will develop off the coast of New England, the storm is forecast to intensify further, generating strong wind gusts, which could possibly exceed 100 km/h over the East Coast.
DON'T MISS: Simple steps you can take to prepare for a winter storm
Snow is expected as well, but will quickly change to widespread freezing rain and ice pellets across Nova Scotia, and into southern New Brunswick and P.E.I. Meanwhile, central and northern New Brunswick, parts of P.E.I and western Newfoundland will bear the brunt of the heaviest snow. It will likely cause travel delays and impacts through Friday, with as much as 30 cm forecast in the harder-hit areas.
As always, be sure to keep up-to-date on your local weather alerts, and always check the highway conditions before heading out.
Thursday: Snow picks up, threat for icy conditions to mix in
Snow will begin to spread across western New Brunswick and Nova Scotia by late Thursday morning, continuing to push eastward, reaching P.E.I. and eastern Nova Scotia by the afternoon.
By Thursday afternoon however, major cities like Fredericton and Moncton, N.B., as well as Charlottetown, P.E.I., and most of Nova Scotia, will quickly transition from snow to freezing rain and ice pellets as the system tracks eastwards.
Across central and northern New Brunswick, a straight snowstorm is likely.
"Travel could become difficult as heavy snow may come during busy traffic hours," warns Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) in the special weather statement for New Brunswick. "Motorists should be prepared for winter driving conditions."
In areas that see the icier conditions, localized power outages, tree damage and traffic delays are also possible.
The snow will pick up across southwest Newfoundland later Thursday night, with a transition to ice pellets and brief freezing rain through early Friday morning across the south.
In all, between 5-15 cm of snow is forecast across the southern Maritimes and Newfoundland's Avalon Peninsula. Across central and northern New Brunswick, as well as western Newfoundland, as much as 15-30+ cm of snow could fall. The exact track of the storm is still uncertain at this time, which could affect snowfall totals, especially in areas that see the wintry mix.
WATCH: How to measure snow like the pros do
Damaging wind threat sweeps coastal sections through Friday
In addition to the snow and ice, wind gusts will increase along coastal areas Thursday night, remaining strong through Friday, and peaking Friday night.
Widespread gusts of 50-70 km/h are forecast, with coastal regions gusting between 90-100+ km/h at times.
Busy storm track stays locked well into February
Another significant and messy storm is expected during the weekend, as a low is forecast to rapidly intensify as it tracks through. The exact track and impacts are still uncertain, however, but widespread windy conditions are expected along with a period of snow changing to ice pellets and freezing rain, once again.
Very cold weather is expected to return as the storm heads out to sea, and an active pattern is likely to continue into late February.
Be sure to check back for the latest weather updates across Atlantic Canada.