Winter storm closing in, warnings issued
15 cm snow, 140 km/h wind expected for parts of Newfoundland
Environment Canada now says a forecasted winter storm will bring up to 15 cm of snow and extremely high winds to parts of Newfoundland and Labrador on Wednesday and Thursday.
"We've got a low [pressure system] that's over the Great Lakes and that's going to spawn a second low near Nova Scotia tomorrow morning and that will track way up towards southeastern Labrador by Thursday morning," said Dale Foote, a meteorologist at the Gander weather office.
Special weather statements and winter storm watches have been issued for the much of the province, with significant snow and blowing snow expected to move in Wednesday.
Foote said the systems are tracking to hit southwestern Newfoundland the hardest with snowfall, high winds and a possible storm surge.
He said the area could receive over 15 cm of snow combined with around 110 km/h winds, adding that the Wreckhouse area could see up to 140 km/h winds.
"We're expecting those extreme winds to move up the west coast. We don't have warnings out right now but there will probably be some out later today for up towards Bonne Bay and area."
The Avalon can expect around 5 cm of snow mixed with ice pellets to hit just in time for the home commute and while the weather office is not expecting a lot of accumulation, winds will ramp up to around 80 km/h.
"It's going to be messy for a while tomorrow afternoon," said Foote.
Significant snow and strong winds are also expected across most of Labrador.
Marine Atlantic is watching the weather system closely as it approaches.
Ferry crossings between Port aux Basques and North Sydney were cancelled on Monday due to high winds but are now operating on a load and go basis.