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As one Colorado low exits Atlantic Canada and another one enters, freezing rain, ice pellets, heavy rain and snow can be expected across the region through Friday. Here's what you need to know.
Canadian Weather | Atlantic Canada

Freezing rain, ice pellets and snow on tap for East Coast


Digital writers
theweathernetwork.com

Thursday, March 2, 2017, 8:18 AM - As one Colorado low exits Atlantic Canada and another one enters, freezing rain, ice pellets, heavy rain and snow can be expected across the region through Friday.

Freezing rain and rainfall warnings are in effect across New Brunswick and P.E.I. as the new system approaches from the west Thursday morning.

Here's a breakdown of what to expect.


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Highlights

  • Freezing rain risk for central New Brunswick continues Thursday morning before moving into Newfoundland for the afternoon.
  • Moncton could see isolated thunderstorm. Rainfall warnings in effect for southern New Brunswick for up to 30 mm.
  • Snow squall watch issued for Cape Breton as strong and cold northwesterly winds and flurries intensify Friday morning.
  • Wind warnings in effect for southern Newfoundland, including St. John's. Gusts up to 100 km/h possible Friday ahead of approaching cold front.
  • Blizzard conditions likely for Northern Peninsula and Labrador Thursday into Friday, 20-30 cm of snow.
  • Arctic air will migrate east behind, bringing a sharp temperature drop.

"Freezing rain mixed at times with ice pellets will change to snow by noon," says Environment Canada in a warning for northern New Brunswick. "There may be a significant impact on rush hour traffic in urban areas."

Meanwhile, southern New Brunswick could see up to 30 mm of rain with this system by late day. Localized flooding is possible in low-lying areas, adds the weather agency in a rainfall warning for the province.


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Moncton could see an isolated thunderstorm as the warm sector of the Colorado low moves through the region. The city broke a 103-year-old temperature record Wednesday as they reached a daytime high of 9.7oC.

"Temperatures will cool through the day today [Thursday] in the Maritimes as the cold front slides through," says The Weather Network meteorologist Kevin MacKay. "New Brunswick will be below freezing by dinner time and Nova Scotia by 10 p.m."

As the low pushes off to the east, strong northwest winds and flurries will develop Friday morning and intensify. As a result, a snow squall watch has been issued for Cape Breton as near-zero visibility and rapid accumulations of snow are likely for areas such as Inverness County.

In Newfoundland, ice pellets, snow and freezing rain will eventually make its way across much of the island Thursday afternoon as the cold front approaches.

"At this time, the freezing precipitation is forecast to be light," says Environment Canada in a special weather statement for the island. "However, pre-existing water built up may lead to very icy conditions."

Wind warnings are in effect for southern Newfoundland including, St. John's as strong southwesterly winds gusting up to 100 km/h will spread along the east coast on Friday.

With total snowfall amounts up to 30 cm and strong northeasterly winds likely for the Northern Peninsula and southern Labrador through Friday, a winter storm warning has been issued for the region.

On the backside of the low, the winds are expected to intensify with gusts up to 120 km/h possible across the Avalon Friday.

Arctic air will migrate east and move in behind, dropping temperatures to the minus double digits in parts of the Maritimes for the weekend.


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Looking ahead into the long range, it will feel much colder next week.

"Mid-winter cold into early next week, with sea-effect snow, especially for western Newfoundland, western Cape Breton, adjacent eastern Nova Scotia and across P.E.I.," says The Weather Network's Dr. Doug Gillham.

"Next storm comes around Tuesday night and Wednesday as a system in the Great Lakes tracks east. Primarily rain, but mixing possible at start for northern New Brunswick and Newfoundland."

Check back for updates as we continue to monitor the forecast.

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