Powerful storm to bring localized hurricane-force gusts and up to 50 cm of snow to Atlantic Canada Sunday

Saturday, February 14, 2015, 4:13 PM - It never seems to end for Atlantic Canada this winter.

Several storms have dumped hundreds of centimetres of snow on Canada's east coast, and Saturday night will be the start of yet another major snow blast for the region, bringing more than 50 cm of snow, or more, to parts of the region.

This system is developing off the East Coast of the United States, and is intensifying as it approaches the region, with winds up to 120 km/h expected in some areas.

It gets going late Saturday night in the Maritimes, and will be at full strength by Sunday morning, lasting all day before easing in the evening and clearing out on Monday.

That's a lot of snow and a lot of wind. Widespread school cancellations and service shutdowns are possible, with extremely dangerous travel conditions expected. Aside from the snow, the strong winds will make for plummeting visibility, so if you're heading anywhere or need to stock up on supplies, today is the day to do it.

Also prepare for power outages as the snow gets heavier and heavier, and make sure your outage kit is up to date.

Environment Canada has plenty of winter storm watches and warnings throughout the region, but the agency is also warning of possible storm surge causing ice pile-ups along coastal areas.

Here's what you need to know.

STORM WATCH TOOL KIT: Be prepared for winter weather with The Weather Network's online essentials: ALERTS | HIGHWAY CONDITIONS | UPLOAD PHOTOS/VIDEOS | LATEST NEWS | FOLLOW ON TWITTER

TIMING 

Maritimes: 

• Pre-dawn Sunday into Monday afternoon and evening.
• Sunday winds will target Cape Breton and P.E.I. with over 100 km/h gusts 

Newfoundland: 

• Sunday afternoon through Monday, with the bulk of the moisture passing late Sunday evening overnight into Monday morning. Lingering snow and blizzard conditions.

Labrador: 

•  Sunday night through Monday, easing overnight into Tuesday as it tracks offshore

PRELIMINARY SNOWFALL FORECAST

Nova Scotia: 

• Generally 25-40+ cm 
• Fundy to Cape Breton: 30-40 cm  

New Brunswick: 

• South and east (Fredericton, Saint John and Moncton): 35-40+ cm 
• Northwest (Edmundston): 15-25 cm 

P.E.I.: 

• Widespread 40-50 cm.

Newfoundland: 

• Generally 25-40+ cm cm, western and central areas
• Avalon: Fewer than 5 cm (before transition to rain/mixed precipitation)

WIND FORECAST

Sunday 

Maritimes: 

• Generally gusts 50-70 km/h, shorelines gusts 90-100 km/h  
• Cape Breton & P.E.I.: gusts more than 120 km/h.

Newfoundland: 

• Ramping up through the day to gusts 70-100 km/h 
• Wreckhouse and southern shores: gusts 100-130 km/h

Monday 

Maritimes:

• Generally gusts 40-60 km/h, shoreline gusts 60-80 km/h
• Cape Breton & P.E.I. Gusting more than 120 km/h

Newfoundland & Labrador:

• Generally gusts 80-110 km/h 
• Avalon: 90-120 km/h 
• Wreckhouse and southern shores: Gusts 100-120+ km/h 
• Eastern Labrador: prolonged period of gusts exceeding 120 km/h

Be sure to check back often for updates and tune in on TV for live coverage.

With files from Dalia Ibrahim.