15-20+cm: Arctic air fuels heavy snow across Atlantic Canada through Friday
A snowy system is moving into Atlantic Canada on Wednesday, targeting parts of the Maritimes and Newfoundland with 15-20+ cm of snowfall
The forecast has shifted towards a snowier pattern this week across the Maritimes.
Tons of cold air have been pouring across the Atlantic Ocean thanks to Arctic air from the North Pole. This acts like storm fuel, enhancing the development of low-pressure systems south of Atlantic Canada.
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As a result, a potent low is set to bring 15-20+ cm of snow through Friday.
Roads and walkways will likely be difficult to navigate due to accumulating snow. There may be a significant impact on rush hour traffic. Local utility outages are possible.
Swath of heavy snow hits Nova Scotia Wednesday
A separate low is now forecast to be stronger and closer to the coast of Nova Scotia. As a result, parts of the province will be in a prime position to see a swath of heavy snowfall.
Snow will spread into the Maritimes from west to east through Wednesday. Snowfall rates will pick up in intensity through the afternoon and evening for Nova Scotia, with heavy snowfall forecast through the evening hours.
Snow will be heavy and wet, even slushy, in nature, with temperatures hovering near 0°C along the coast.
Greatest snow totals are forecast across Nova Scotia and eastern P.E.I. where 15-20+ cm is forecast.
Snow spreads into Newfoundland Thursday
By early Thursday, accumulating snowfall pushes across Newfoundland as the warm front associated with the low lifts northward.
A warm front may drive temperatures above the freezing mark across eastern Newfoundland, transitioning to a rain-snow mix, while wet snow continues over central and western areas.
Heaviest snowfall totals are forecast for northern and western parts of the island where 15-20+ cm is forecast.
Questions about the upcoming snowfall
Will the low be windy?
A: Not particularly, gusts will generally remain below 60 km/h across Nova Scotia. But sustained winds of 20-30 km/h are still likely to cause some blowing and drifting snow.
What’s the fastest forecast snowfall rate?
A: Throughout Wednesday afternoon and evening, a band of locally heavy snow is forecast to bring up to 2-3 cm an hour.
Will New Brunswick and P.E.I. see accumulating snowfall?
A: Yes, favouring eastern and southern sections of New Brunswick (5-10+cm is possible), with central P.E.I. will potentially pick up close to 10 cm.
Seasonal snowfall since Dec. 1
New Brunswick
Moncton:114 cm (below normal)
P.E.I.
Charlottetown: 44 cm (well below normal)
Nova Scotia
Halifax: 110 cm (near normal)
Sydney: 182 cm (above normal)
Newfoundland
St. John’s: 199 cm (above normal)
Gander:286 cm (well above normal)
An active pattern for Atlantic Canada means more snow and low-pressure systems could track into the region late into the weekend and early next week.
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