'Weather bomb' expected to hit Newfoundland on Sunday

This weekend, one of the season's first strong winter storms is coming for Newfoundland and Labrador.

Special weather statements and winter storm warnings are issued for parts of the province as Environment Canada projects a mess of rain, wind, and snow to hit the island on Saturday night into Monday morning.

"It's basically a weather bomb coming in from the South," said Wanda Batten, a meteorologist with the Gander weather office.

Northern Peninsula

Special weather statements are in effect all across the island, and winter storm warnings are currently issued for the Northern Peninsula and the Green Bay and White Bay areas.

Batten expects the area to receive at least 20 centimetres of snow alongside strong winds on Sunday. She said snow will ramp up in the morning and be most intense on Sunday night.

Blowing snow and whiteout conditions are expected. 

"It's not going to be very nice up there," she said.

Avalon Peninsula

Moving down the Avalon Peninsula, Environment Canada has a rainfall warning in effect. The area is expected to receive a dusting of snow on Saturday night, then receive up to 50 milimetres of rain into Monday evening.

Batten said strong winds up to 120 km/h will accompany the rain Saturday night into Sunday. 

Wind warnings are in effect "almost everywhere that touches the coast."

"Generally, what you're looking at is just 80 km/h to 100 km/h and some local gusts to 110 km/h," Batten said. "Very, very strong winds again coming in with this system and that's going to be throughout the overnight and into Sunday period for everywhere."

Coastal flooding alerts are in effect from the Northern Peninsula to Ferryland. Elevated water levels are a concern, and significant waves are expected.

"It's going to be at its most severe during the high tides," Batten said. "It could be some water inundating the coast."

Remaining parts of island

Special weather statements in effect for the remaining parts of the island are subject to change.

Batten said there is uncertainty with the forecast, but the weather system is "intensifying very fast, and it's coming at us very fast."

She expects more warnings to be issued into Saturday. For example, she said a snowfall warning is very close to being required in Eastern and Northeastern Newfoundland.

Those travelling on Sunday are encouraged to watch the forecast.

"I would advise everybody to stay tuned and keep an eye on the forecast for any changes that might come down the pipe," Batten said. "Things could be beefed up a little bit today."

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