NL·Blog

Ryan Snoddon: Winter returns on Wednesday

Snow & blowing snow on the way for Wednesday. Here's the latest.

Ryan Snoddon · CBC News · Posted: Apr 19, 2016 12:46 PM EDT | Last Updated: April 19, 2016

Lots of snow and strong winds are set for much of Newfoundland on Wednesday. Here's the latest:

Wednesday will be stormy

The snow arrives overnight on the Avalon and it appears the heaviest snow band will move over the region for Wednesday morning. That heavy snow will be coupled with sustained winds near 60 km/h and gusts of 80-100 km/h. In a word, it will be nasty.

As we move through the morning that snow and wind gusts reaching 80-100 km/h will spread up the northeast coast and into central Newfoundland. The heaviest snow and strongest winds for that region are looking set for the late morning and afternoon hours.

Through Wednesday afternoon, St. John's & Avalon will mix from snow over to ice pellets and then periods of drizzle. North winds remain strong with gusts reaching 80-100 km/h.

Wednesday evening, the snow and blowing snow continues for the north coast and central with northerly winds gusting 80-100 km/h. For the northeast, it's a mix to periods of drizzle and fog, with the winds slowly easing through the evening hours. Snow and winds arrive in western Newfoundland on Wednesday evening with gusts of 60-80 km/h.

Most of the island eventually sees a mix over from snow to drizzle and fog patches through Wednesday night. It looks like a text book RDF setup in the east and northeast through Thursday and Friday. On a positive note, this should help to 'eat away' the snow nicely.

Shovel and even snowblower worthy snowfall

When there's some uncertainty in the forecast, I'm always sure to pass that along to you. In this case, some of the 'go-to' forecast models remain at odds with exactly how much snow is set for us on Wednesday, so some uncertainty remains.

The afternoon model runs are trickling in this afternoon and should have the best handle yet on our now developing system. I'll have a look at the latest data and tweak this map as needed later today and for Here and Now tonight. That said, here's where I'm leaning as of now.

With temperatures near 0°, I'm still expecting variable snowfall for the Metro region & Avalon with lower totals near the coasts and the most snow in the higher elevations. Snowfall will likely range from 10-20 cm, with that mixing to drizzle through Wednesday afternoon. The timing of that mix over will be key for totals and there is some uncertainty here as well.

The heaviest totals are indeed looking set for the northeast & north coast, including Gander, which is where we'll have the best chance of seeing totals in the 20-30+ cm range.

Amounts will drop off over western Newfoundland with 2-5+ cm.

Again, stay tuned for more details later today and of course I'll have a full breakdown this evening on Here & Now at 6.