Dicey day for drivers as rain drenches eastern Newfoundland
The rain comes days after a two-day blizzard dumped mounds of snow on the island
Heavy rain hammered the eastern part of Newfoundland Sunday, reducing snow left behind by a two-day blizzard to a slushy mess.
"Some dog's breakfast out there this morning no matter where you are on the island," said Mike Vandenberg, a meteorologist at the Environment Canada weather office in Gander.
As of 11:30 a.m., the Avalon and Burin Peninsulas were bearing the brunt of the rain. Vandenberg said Winterland, on the Burin Pensinsula, was holding the day's rainfall record at 50 mm since early Sunday morning.
The western part of St. John's, near Mount Pearl, was reporting 30 mm since the early morning hours.
☔️ Cochrane Street, St. John’s, NL <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/nlwx?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#nlwx</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/canada?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#canada</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/weathernetwork?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@weathernetwork</a> <a href="https://t.co/nVcobZzHVj">pic.twitter.com/nVcobZzHVj</a>
—@n_elaine0Those totals are expected to increase, he said, before the heavy rain tapers off Sunday evening.
All that water caused a lot of pooling on roads, he said.
"Take care if you're having to drive anywhere right now."
Brookfield Rd west-bound: Large puddle of water just before Roche’s. Hydro-plane risk if speed not reduced. Probably good idea to reduce speed everywhere today. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/nltraffic?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#nltraffic</a>
—@anita_parisWill it all freeze?
Vandenberg said that though temperatures are expected to drop below zero overnight, it will be a gradual cool-off, which should give all the water and melted snow a chance to drain away before it freezes.
"It won't be a hard and fast freeze."
The heavy rain we are experiencing, coupled with the snow melt, is creating hazardous driving conditions in our area today. Please drive safe - adjust your speed to the conditions, & be alert for possible wash-outs & areas of flooding along your commute. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/nlwx?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#nlwx</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/nltraffic?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#nltraffic</a> <a href="https://t.co/VkKQf4mGk9">pic.twitter.com/VkKQf4mGk9</a>
—@MYSTVolFireDeptBlizzard, winter storm warnings elsewhere in the province
The west coast and the Northern Peninsula were pelted by snow and high winds, while parts of Labrador were under blizzard warnings.
"It's a whole different kind of dirty out there," he said.
Winter storm warnings for the Northern Peninsula and the west coast of Newfoundland are expected to continue into Monday, with strong winds and heavy snow on tap, Vandenberg said.
Father and son time! Pic says it all! <a href="https://twitter.com/PolarisSnow?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PolarisSnow</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CBCNL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CBCNL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/weathernetwork?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@weathernetwork</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/sledcore?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sledcore</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/westernmtrsprts?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@westernmtrsprts</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/nlwx?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#nlwx</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/steadybrook?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#steadybrook</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NLtweets?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NLtweets</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Newfoundland?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Newfoundland</a> <a href="https://t.co/OKvrBcKXPO">pic.twitter.com/OKvrBcKXPO</a>
—@DonnieOK"It's not a fun day regardless of where you are," he said.
But there's hope, he said: after all this dies down, there are two nice days ahead for the province. That is, until a new system settles in — likely Wednesday night or Thursday morning.
"As always, stay tuned," he said.