Beware as potent winds, flash freeze build over Atlantic Canada
Heavy snowfall, intense winds, and a rapid temperature drop will make for dangerous conditions across Atlantic Canada to round out the week
Powerful winds and a surge of Arctic air are wrapping into Atlantic Canada to end the week, threatening dangerous travel conditions in many areas. This latest bout of hazardous weather follows Wednesday's nor’easter that brought the region heavy snow and power outages.
Snow will fall across parts of the Maritimes overnight into Friday. A significant drop in temperatures will lead to flash freeze conditions, as well, with values dipping into the minus double digits by Friday morning.
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Newfoundland is expected to experience snow and sea-effect snow squalls, particularly in western and northern regions, where whiteout conditions may develop. The strong winds may result in power outages and potential wind-related damage.
Residents should monitor forecasts and prepare for rapidly changing conditions, including icy roads and reduced visibility.
Brace for difficult travel, outages through Friday
By Friday morning, gusty winds of 70-90 km/h are expected along coastal areas in eastern Nova Scotia, accompanied by sea-effect snow squalls.
Friday will mark the season's coldest conditions so far, with temperatures plunging into the minus teens across the Maritimes.
WATCH: Temperatures are plummeting for Atlantic Canada, here's when
Wind chills will range between -10 and -20. Standing water from precipitation earlier in the week could freeze, leading to potential black ice and slippery conditions for the Friday morning commute.
In Newfoundland, stronger wind gusts of 90-120 km/h late Friday may cause localized power outages, particularly across the Avalon and Burin Peninsulas. Snow begins in western Newfoundland Thursday evening, spreading east by early Friday.
Western regions could see 15-25 cm of snow with sea-effect squalls lingering into Friday.
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Central and northern coasts are expected to receive 5-15 cm of snow, while the Avalon is forecast to experience primarily rain and high winds.
The intense cold will relax heading into the weekend, though still remaining colder than normal As mid-December approaches, temperatures will largely depend on the path of upcoming storm systems, but colder conditions are anticipated to dominate overall.
WATCH: What is a flash freeze, and why is it so dangerous?
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