Special weather statements already line parts of Atlantic Canada for an incoming system that threatens periods of heavy rain, ice, and damaging winds. That’s as low pressure over the eastern U.S. rapidly intensifies as it races north along the cold front, and across much of Eastern Canada.
Typically when we think of ‘weather bombs’ (explosive cyclogenesis), where a low-pressure system drops by 24 mb or more in 24 hours, we think of lows off the Pacific coast or in Atlantic Canada. In this instance, the low-pressure system will stay over land and undergo explosive cyclogenesis from the mid-Atlantic U.S. into Quebec.
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This system will likely bring a wide variety of impacts, from heavy rains and freezing rain, as well as damaging wind gusts, with the likelihood for power outages. There’s also the opportunity for some record-setting warm December temperatures as daytime highs soar with some milder air pushing in.
As with any impactful system, be sure to keep up-to-date on alerts in your area, and have a plan in place that includes an emergency kit and charged devices.
Wednesday: Widespread rain and potentially record-setting warmth
Precipitation will start as freezing rain in northern New Brunswick Wednesday morning, as the warm front moves in. Rain will move from west to east through early Wednesday, engulfing much of the Maritimes by the afternoon.
We could be approaching record-setting territory when it comes to temperatures on Wednesday, as double-digit highs are forecast across the southern Maritimes.
A period of freezing rain will also spread across western Newfoundland through the afternoon, before gradually transitioning to scattered rain showers over the island into Wednesday night. The icy precipitation however, will persist over southern Labrador during the overnight hours.
Conditions will likely deteriorate in areas that see the freezing rain, so be sure to adjust travel plans and brace for icy surfaces.
Thursday: Wicked winds with a power outage threat
The winds will begin to pick up Wednesday night, with the strongest gusts expected through Thursday morning. Wind gusts across the western Maritimes could reach close to 100 km/h, while much of the eastern Maritimes, Newfoundland, and Labrador see winds closer to 90 km/h.
These winds will bring the risk for localized power outages.
Freezing rain moves across northern Labrador Thursday morning, with rain eventually winning out and reaching the northern tip by the afternoon. This shows just how far north the mild air is being drawn in.
Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL could end up seeing its warmest December temperature on record, with a forecast high of 14°C on Thursday. The past record to beat is 12.2°C set on December 19, 2023.
The cold front will move into western New Brunswick during the pre-dawn hours Thursday, quickly moving east and out of the major cities through the afternoon. This front will bring a quick, but heavy burst of rain to the region.
A widespread 10-30 mm is likely from Wednesday into Friday, with locally heavier amounts for some.
Temperatures will cool down through the day on Thursday for the Maritimes, with a morning high around 12°C, and then hitting the freezing mark by the early evening.
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Windy and much colder weather will spread across the region as the storm departs, with sea-effect snow showers and snow squalls likely, especially for western Newfoundland.
Mostly fair weather is expected elsewhere this weekend, but the next system is expected to track into the region early next week, bringing another risk for mixed precipitation.
Stay with The Weather Network for more forecast updates and information on your weather across Atlantic Canada.