Snow, freezing rain and rain on tap for parts of Atlantic Canada, warnings issued

Saturday, January 18, 2014, 6:21 PM -

Parts of Atlantic Canada are in for a wet, blustery weekend. 

"A low pressure system is currently moving into the Maritimes," said Brian Dillon, a meteorologist at The Weather Network. "[The system] will be starting out as rain, but flipping to snow through the overnight."

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On Saturday morning, Environment Canada issued a snowfall warning for Guysborough County, Sydney Metro, Cape Breton County , Richmond County and Halifax. 

"The heaviest snow is expected for communities along the Bay of Fundy and Cape Breton Island, where locally up to 15 cm of snow could fall. Halifax can expect up to 10 cm of very moisture-laden snow," adds Dillon. 

The system will push into Newfoundland through the overnight, bringing snow, freezing drizzle and freezing rain into the region.

"The precipitation will start off as freezing rain and freezing drizzle through the Avalon," says Dillon. "By morning, it will be changing over to rain, and throughout the day Sunday afternoon it will change back to snow." 

Dillon says the heaviest snow will be along the stretch from Burgeo to Gander, where some areas could see up to 30 cm of snow. 

Wind gusts with this low through Atlantic Canada will be gusting near 80 kph. The strong winds could create the potential for blowing snow and reduced visibility Saturday night into Sunday afternoon. 

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Motorists are advised to check the weather forecast before heading out and drive according to the conditions.