Prolonged freezing rain coats parts of Atlantic Canada in ice
A swath of icy precipitation has resulted in delayed school openings and slick travel across parts of Atlantic Canada Thursday
Freezing rain warnings remained in effect across parts of Atlantic Canada early Thursday, as a sprawling Colorado low moves across much of central and eastern Canada this week. While the storm brought blizzard-like conditions and even tornado watches to parts of Manitoba and Ontario Wednesday, ice pellets and a significant period of freezing rain were the main threats with this storm system for the East Coast.
Snow first moved into New Brunswick and Nova Scotia on Wednesday afternoon and evening, dropping about 5-15 cm across west central New Brunswick to eastern Nova Scotia.
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The swath of snow fell ahead of a warm front that made its way through by Thursday morning, with a transition to freezing rain leaving a significant coating of ice across parts of the Maritimes.
Drivers were being warned to adjust to the changing road conditions as surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become icy and slippery. The slick conditions also caused a delayed opening for schools in Halifax, N.S. Thursday morning.
The freezing rain and mixed precipitation will linger before temperatures warm up and precipitation eases late morning. Drier conditions will move in for the afternoon, with the next chance at seeing light rain late overnight into Friday morning.
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The southern half of Newfoundland has the risk for freezing rain overnight Thursday and into Friday morning, but it will be rather light, with no widespread icy conditions expected.
Fair and milder conditions are expected early next week, though with eyes on the next significant storm system possible Tuesday and Wednesday.
WATCH: Freezing rain delays opening of schools across the Maritimes
Stay tuned to The Weather Network for the latest forecast updates across Atlantic Canada.