Brace for widespread heavy rain, ice, and windy conditions, as a powerful storm takes aim at Atlantic Canada through Thursday. There’s even the potential for some record-setting warm December temperatures as milder air floods the region.
A rapid drop in temperatures that follows the unseasonably warm conditions however, could result in a flash freeze with any residual water ponding from this week’s rainfall and associated snowmelt.
Warnings are widespread to include the variety of impacts and messy weather.
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As with any impactful system, be sure to have a proper plan in place that includes an emergency kit and charged devices. It’s also important to keep up-to-date on any of the alerts issued in your area.
Wednesday: Widespread rain and potentially record-setting warmth
Precipitation started as freezing rain in parts of western and central New Brunswick Wednesday morning as the warm front moved in. A freezing rain warning was issued to urge drivers to slow down in the slippery conditions.
“Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become icy and slippery,” said Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) in the warning.
Rain will move from west to east, engulfing much of the Maritimes as milder air rushes in by Wednesday afternoon. We could be approaching record-setting territory when it comes to daytime highs, as double-digit temperatures are forecast across the southern Maritimes.
A period of freezing rain will also continue 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, and temperatures in Labrador could be as much as 25°C above normal!
Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL may end up seeing its warmest December temperature on record, with a forecast high of 13°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.
Risk of a flash freeze with a rapid cool down
Temperatures will cool down significant 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. This presents the risk of a flash freeze, especially with any ponding water left from the storm’s rainfall.
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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.