Schools close, outages rack up as powerful nor'easter blasts Atlantic Canada
A powerful nor'easter will continue to hit Atlantic Canada through Monday, with heavy snow and high winds resulting in travel issues and school closures
A significant nor’easter is impacting Atlantic Canada to start the new workweek, delivering widespread snowfall and strong winds across much of the region.
More than 100,000 customers in Nova Scotia were without power by the early morning hours on Monday, as the heavy, wet snow took a toll on power lines. The quickly deteriorating conditions forced widespread school closures across the province, as well.
DON’T MISS: Second half of January looking much colder across Canada
Expect travel issues during the Monday commutes across the Maritimes and Newfoundland. RCMP are urging drivers to be careful, as there have been multiple collisions reported already.
High winds in excess of 100 km/h may buffet St. John’s during the storm, which will likely result in dangerous travel as the heavy snow picks up.
Powerful nor’easter reaches its peak on Monday
A sprawling low pressure system off the U.S. East Coast reached Atlantic Canada as a full-blown nor’easter during the early morning hours on Monday.
This system’s influence extends thousands of kilometres away, bringing rare snow to Florida and a spell of damaging winds to southern Mexico.
More than 100,000 homes and businesses were without power in Nova Scotia on Monday morning. According to Nova Scotia Power, heavy wet snow and ice can create significant damage in a small area, which can slow restoration work. Challenging road conditions are also slowing the ability to get to sites to restore power.
WATCH: Heavy, wet snow causes closures and outages in Nova Scotia
Halifax airport recorded over 15 cm of snow prior to the morning commute, with Moncton reporting 6 cm, Saint John 8 cm, Yarmouth 14 cm, and Charlottetown 8 cm.
Snow will persist through the morning, gradually tapering off from west to east during the afternoon.
Powerful winds batter Newfoundland once again
Strong winds are expected to impact Newfoundland again as the low pressure system intensifies. Wind gusts exceeding 100 km/h are likely for the Avalon, Burin, and Bonavista regions by Monday afternoon.
Western Newfoundland will see significant snowfall, with local totals reaching up to 30 cm.
Snowfall rates of 2-4 cm per hour are expected in the western and central areas of the island. These conditions, combined with wind gusts of 40-70 km/h, will create hazardous winter travel conditions.
Travel along the Trans-Canada Highway from west of Clarenville to Corner Brook will be particularly challenging due to blowing snow and reduced visibility.
Be sure to check back for all the latest on conditions across Atlantic Canada.