Strong Storm to Impact Southern Quebec and Atlantic Canada

A strong area of low pressure will push across southern Quebec and Atlantic Canada throughout the weekend. This storm will bring heavy snow, heavy rain, very strong winds, and storm surge.

Winter storm warnings, snowfall warnings, and storm surge warnings are in effect across southern Quebec. For areas under the winter storm warning, total snowfall accumulations of 20 to 30 cm are expected combined with strong winds. This will cause local blowing snow from Saturday evening to Sunday. 15 to 20 centimetres of snow is expected for areas under a snowfall warning. Coastal erosion is possible in vulnerable areas under a storm surge warning.

Tonight to Sunday afternoon snowfall with total amounts of 25 to 30 cm is expected in northern New Brunswick. Southeastern New Brunswick will see heavy rain with about 30 mm expected combined with strong southeast winds. Rain will end later Sunday morning. For central sections, snow and ice pellets are expected to spread across northern New Brunswick and rain across southern New Brunswick tonight. Snow, freezing rain or ice pellets are expected for the remaining areas of the province tonight, with a change over to rain possible.

On Prince Edward Island there is a wind warning in effect for Kings County. Maximum wind gusts to 90 km/h are expected early Sunday morning.

Across Nova Scotia, there are wind warnings and rainfall warnings. winds will gust up to 90 km/h for the Atlantic coast of mainland Nova Scotia for Halifax and east. For Cape Breton Island, gusts to 100 km/h are expected. Les Suêtes winds could gust to 180 km/h. Winds this strong will cause power outages and could blow vehicles off the road and could cause considerable structural damage include total collapse for structures not well-built. The strong winds will occur overnight into Sunday morning.

For areas in Nova Scotia under a rainfall warning 30 to 50 mm is expected Saturday evening until Sunday morning.

Wind warnings have been issued for portions of the west coast of Newfoundland. Tomorrow afternoon winds will gust to near 110 km/h. In the Wreckhouse area, winds will gust to 140 km/h near noon on Sunday and then subside in the afternoon. Power outages are possible.

Rain is expected across central and eastern Newfoundland with a rain and snow mix along the west coast. Snow is expected in Labrador.

Marine Atlantic has cancelled all crossings for today and says that tomorrow's crossing could also be impacted.