Blizzard warning blankets Nova Scotia
CBC News | Posted: January 21, 2014 11:43 AM | Last Updated: January 22, 2014
Worst of the storm is forecast to hit between noon and 8 p.m.
After a week of mild temperatures, Nova Scotia is readying itself for another blast of winter.
Environment Canada has issued a blizzard warning for most of mainland Nova Scotia on Wednesday with winds gusting up to 70 km/hour for some areas.
The storm, expected late Tuesday night and into Wednesday, is expected to bring strong winds up to 70 km/h and snowfall amounts in the range of 20 to 30 centimetres for parts of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.
Forecasters are warning Nova Scotians to expect a day of blowing snow.
CBC meteorologist Kalin Mitchell said it's best to plan for a messy morning commute on Wednesday. Near-zero visibility is predicted.
"Don't let the periods of lighter snow in the morning fool you, conditions across the province will continue to deteriorate into the afternoon and evening," he said.
Mitchell said to expect between five and 10 centimetres of snow before 6 a.m., with the worst of the snow and blowing snow hitting the province between 12 p.m. and 8 p.m. Wednesday.
"This first round of snow though will be relatively light leaving some five to 10 cm across Nova Scotia by 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. Wednesday morning. Then moving into the afternoon and evening the second, heavier round of snow arrives," he said.
"As it continues into Wednesday evening, many areas of Nova Scotia will see a general 15 to 30 centimetres with some local amounts of 30 to 40 centimetres possible. The winds also increase Wednesday afternoon and evening and this is the period of time where the worst of the blowing snow will be seen along with the white out conditions."
Mitchell cautions travelling on Wednesday will be difficult.
"Roads will be hazardous to travel on Wednesday, the snow will accumulate on the very cold road surfaces quite quickly and visibility greatly reduced in blowing snow," he said.
For those who might think they can leave the shovelling, hoping the snow will melt away over the next few days, Mitchell says "No such luck."
"Temperatures will continue to be very cold for the rest of the week, which means that the snow that does fall will be sticking around into the weekend."
But it's not all bad news.
"Since temperatures are colder we are most likely looking at a lighter or fluffier snow. This may work in our favour as it will be less weight on the power lines and make for some what easier shovelling than a wet and dense snowfall," said Mitchell.