Watching risk for significant weekend snows in Atlantic Canada
A renewed risk for persistent, heavy snows will blow across Atlantic Canada through the weekend
The predictions made by Shubenacadie Sam and Lucy the Lobster will get top billing for Groundhog Day on Friday, but there’s no shortage of winter weather in Atlantic Canada’s forecast this weekend.
After this week’s ample snows, we’re looking ahead to a renewed risk for significant snowfall and gusty winds plastering portions of the East Coast heading into the weekend.
Some areas could see snowfall totals of 50+ cm with blizzard-like conditions at times. Plan ahead for likely travel disruptions and cancellations.
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First round continues into Friday
A batch of snow that arrived in the Maritimes on Thursday will continue spreading east into our day Friday.
Snowfall will build into Nova Scotia through Friday, with a chance for mixing along the province’s southern coast.
The heaviest accumulations are expected in northern New Brunswick, where folks from Miramichi to Gaspé could see 15-20 cm of snow by the end of the system Friday.
Totals will stick closer to 5-10 cm in Prince Edward Island and eastern Nova Scotia. Lower amounts are likely where mixing occurs.
Watching a major system this weekend into Monday
A second low-pressure system will develop south of Nova Scotia this weekend and slowly meander south of Newfoundland.
This stagnant pattern will bring the risk for persistent snowfall through the weekend and into early next week, along with the potential for gusty winds of 50-70 km/h.
Since we’re still a few days out and this is a complex setup, the exact track and local impacts are still uncertain. Folks across the region can expect an extended period of unsettled weather, including substantial snowfall totals for much of the eastern Maritimes and Newfoundland.
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While the precise details are still fuzzy, forecasters expect the hardest-hit areas to include Cape Breton Island and the western and northeastern parts of Newfoundland.
These areas could see 50+ cm of snow and blizzard-like conditions at times. This could be a significant storm for Prince Edward Island, as well.
Stay with The Weather Network and continue checking back over the next few days as forecasters nail down the details on this disruptive snowfall threat across Atlantic Canada.
Looking ahead, a few days of fair weather are expected during the middle of next week, though forecasters will closely watch the track of a large storm expected to move well south of the region near the end of the week.
Fear not, though, because there’s a glimmer of hope on the horizon if you’re tired of the cold and snow. Current trends suggest that temperatures will come in well above seasonal during the second week of February.