Blizzard warnings issued in Newfoundland ahead of impactful nor'easter
A blizzard warning has been issued as Newfoundland could see its first nor’easter of the season bring considerable winter impacts Sunday evening into Monday, with likely travel and power disruptions
A significant winter storm is targeting Newfoundland for the end of the weekend with notable snowfall amounts and possible blizzard conditions for some areas.
Winter storm and blizzard warnings, including for St. John’s, as well as special weather statements and snow squall watches are in effect for Newfoundland, ahead of this system’s arrival.
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Travel will more than likely become difficult. If you must travel, be prepared for delays and allow extra time to reach your destination.
Similar storms in the past have caused school closures and cancellations of scheduled activities, disruptions to public services, power outages. and interruptions and delays to road, air and maritime transportation
Be sure to keep up-to-date on your local weather alerts and highway conditions before heading out this weekend.
Sunday: Strong storm threatens Newfoundland
A low-pressure system expected to develop off the U.S. Eastern Seaboard will bring some disruptive conditions to parts of Atlantic Canada over the rest of the weekend and through Monday.
Snow will begin across the Maritimes on Sunday morning and ease through the evening hours. The heaviest snow should remain offshore, bringing general totals of 5-10 cm to portions of Nova Scotia by the end of the day.
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Our storm will begin to ramp up in a hurry as it passes the Maritimes and makes its way toward southeastern Newfoundland. The storm’s rapid intensification will likely meet weather bomb criteria as it tracks south of the Avalon Peninsula.
Snowfall timing in Newfoundland:
Snow starts at 8 p.m. NT
Snow peaks: 1 a.m. NT
Snow eases: 7 a.m. NT
The system’s swift strengthening will allow wind gusts to reach 80-110 km/h across the eastern Avalon.
Snow will pick up across eastern sections of Newfoundland through Sunday afternoon, peaking into Sunday night before tapering to flurries by Monday morning.
Snowfall rates could reach up to 5 cm per hour at the peak of the storm, which is expected to be after midnight on Sunday night.
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The combination of heavy snow and high winds could lead to blizzard conditions late Sunday evening into Monday morning for St. John’s and the rest of the Avalon. In fact, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) issued a blizzard warning for the Avalon Peninsula, including St. John's on Saturday in anticipation of the storm.
“If you must travel, keep others informed of your schedule and destination and carry an emergency kit and mobile phone,” ECCC said in its blizzard warning for St. John’s.
Overall, the Avalon Peninsula can expect up to and over 30 cm of snow from this system, with blowing and drifting likely as a result of the strong winds. Folks on the Burin Peninsula are likely in line for 15-20 cm of snow by the end of the storm Monday morning.
Stay with The Weather Network for your latest forecasts across Atlantic Canada.