Another winter storm on the way for N.S. after record-breaking temperatures

Another blast of winter weather is heading to Nova Scotia just a day after the province enjoyed record-breaking high temperatures.

Environment Canada issued public weather alerts for all counties in the province Sunday.

Winter storm alerts were issued for all of Cape Breton with snowfall alerts in place for mainland Nova Scotia. 

Because of the danger of localized whiteouts, Environment Canada is advising that non-essential travel be postponed until conditions improve.

CBC meteorologist Ryan Snoddon said the incoming system will be long in duration, coming through in two rounds. 

The first round moves through tonight and the second will move through on Monday, with some stronger winds.

Northerly gusts near 50 km/h are expected on Monday across southern New Brunswick, P.E.I. and Nova Scotia.

Stronger gusts of 50-70 km/h are likely for Cape Breton on Monday evening and overnight.

This snow will be light, which will lead to blowing and drifting, especially later Monday in Cape Breton.

Snoddon said snowfall of between 15 and 25 centimetres is expected across Nova Scotia, with the best chance for some heavier snow bands, and some pockets of more than 25 centimetres, over eastern areas and Cape Breton.

Amounts will drop quickly with a sharp gradient to the north.

Cold temperatures are expected to continue Tuesday and into Wednesday, before warming up later this week, Snoddon said.

In contrast to the snow and cold moving in, Saturday was the warmest on record in five parts of Nova Scotia, according to Environment Canada.

The highest jump was in Halifax at 12 C, with a previous record of 10.3 C set in 1981.

Greenwood, Kejimkujik, Kentville and Parrsboro also saw record-breaking temperatures on Saturday.

In New Brunswick, the Grand Manan and St. Stephen areas also broke temperature records. Grand Manan got to 10 C, smashing its record of 7 C from 1998.