Strong storm to hit Newfoundland and Labrador this weekend

A low just west of Labrador and a pulse of energy well east of Nova Scotia will merge and deliver stormy weather to Newfoundland and Labrador this weekend.

Precipitation will begin this afternoon across most of Newfoundland with snow for most areas, by this evening the snow will transition to rain for the Avalon, Burin, and parts of Central. Temperatures will climb toward the freezing mark today, but the warm-up will be short-lived as temperatures are expected to fall once again tonight.

Snowfall amounts of 5 to 10 cm is expected over southern and eastern Newfoundland. 10 to 20 mm of rain is possible for the Avalon Peninsula today and tonight. Southern and eastern Newfoundland will get about 2 to 5 mm. Wind gusts between 70 and 100 km/h are possible.

For the southwest coast, it will be snow. 20 to 25 cm is expected. Along the west coast, persistent snow squalls are expected to develop. 10 cm is possible today, snow squalls will continue through Sunday morning. Amounts could reach 30 cm. Winds will gust between 80 and 100 km/h on Saturday.

In Labrador, extremely stormy weather is expected this weekend for northern areas. From Postville-Makkovik to Hopedale, snowfall amounts of 50 to 80 cm is expected. Natuashish should receive nearly 30 cm while Nain will top out near 10 cm. Winds will be dangerously high with gusts between 110 and 140 km/h expected on Saturday.

Elsewhere in Labrador, 5 to 15 cm of snow is expected. Wind gusts between 90 to 120 km/h are possible elsewhere along the coast and 80 to 100 km/h inland.