40+ cm of windswept snow expected in East Coast nor’easter
Prepare for widespread travel delays and school closures heading into the day Monday
Portions of Atlantic Canada are on alert for very heavy snowfall and gusty winds that could lead to whiteout conditions at times.
The brewing nor’easter will affect the area beginning late Sunday, with snowfall and gusty winds lasting into Tuesday morning.
Widespread travel delays and school closures are likely.
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Nor’easter developing now
A powerful coastal storm developing off the Carolinas will steadily track north toward Atlantic Canada through the remainder of this weekend.
Bountiful cold air along with a healthy feed of moisture will make this a hefty snowmaker for affected communities. Portions of North Carolina already saw 30+ cm of snow on Saturday -- and that’s the energy moving toward Canada’s East Coast.
Forecasters expect a heavy snowfall event across the southern Maritimes and Newfoundland beginning late Sunday afternoon in Nova Scotia.
Snowfall rates and wind gusts will both intensify as the storm approaches the region into the overnight hours. We could see 2-3 cm per hour alongside 60-90 km/h winds, which will create whiteout conditions at times.
The impacts will continue into the day Monday as the snow and wind push into Newfoundland.
Southeastern sections of Newfoundland are set to see 3-5 cm per hour snowfall rates with wind gusts that could exceed 90 km/h, buffeting the region with its own spell of whiteout conditions.
There is still some uncertainty in the storm’s track, which could decrease snowfall totals for coastal sections of Nova Scotia if some of the moisture lingers offshore.
Significant snowfall totals are likely by the end of the storm. Portions of Nova Scotia will see 20-40 cm of accumulation from this system, while up to 50 cm of snow is possible for sections of Newfoundland’s Avalon Peninsula.
Whiteout conditions and rapidly accumulating snow will lead to dangerous to near-impossible travel conditions during this system. School closures are likely in the affected areas.
Stay with The Weather Network for the latest updates across Atlantic Canada