Key Takeaways:
- A polar air mass is expected to bring cold temperatures and gusty winds to the Maritimes on Thursday and Friday
- Snow and icy road conditions are possible, with widespread coating of up to 5 cm of snow expected in most areas
- The Friday morning commute may see leftover snow and icy road conditions, with a risk for whiteout conditions and snow squalls
- Temperatures will plunge to –12 C to –18 C in Nova Scotia and –16 C to –20 C in New Brunswick by early Friday morning
- Wind chill values will reach –20 to –30 range across the Maritimes
Introduction to Winter Weather
The Maritimes has experienced a taste of winter weather with chilly temperatures and snow this week. However, a polar air mass is expected to bring much colder temperatures and gusty winds to the region on Thursday and Friday. This cold front will move into the Maritimes, bringing snow and icy road conditions, making travel difficult. The cold air mass will sink into central and eastern Canada, affecting the Maritimes with temperatures dropping below freezing and the transition to snow occurring.
Weather Forecast
An incoming cold front will parade through the region on Thursday, shifting the winds to the northwest and mixing showers to flurries as temperatures fall. Slick and snowy driving conditions are possible for the afternoon and evening commute across New Brunswick and northern parts of Nova Scotia. The rest of Nova Scotia will switch to flurries later Thursday evening and overnight, and by Friday morning, a widespread coating of up to 5 cm of snow is likely for most places. Pockets of up to 10 cm are also possible, especially in higher-terrain areas of the north. The Friday morning commute will see some leftover snow and icy road conditions in spots, with a risk for whiteout conditions and snow squalls for the Northumberland Shore of Nova Scotia and Cape Breton.
Snow Squalls and Wind Gusts
The risk for snow squalls will taper off for the mainland by Friday afternoon but continue well into Friday night for Cape Breton, particularly for Inverness County and Victoria County. By Friday evening, localized totals could add up to 30 cm for northern parts of Cape Breton. The northwest winds will gust from 50 to 70 km/h for most of the region on Thursday night and into Friday morning, with coastal gusts of 70 to 90 km/h possible in the Acadian Peninsula region of New Brunswick, southwest Nova Scotia, and especially northeastern Nova Scotia and Cape Breton. Temperatures will plunge into the –12 C to –18 C range for Nova Scotia and –16 C to –20 C range for New Brunswick by early Friday morning.
Cold Temperatures and Wind Chill
These cold temperatures, coupled with the winds, will push wind chill values into the –20 to –30 range across the Maritimes, making it feel like midwinter. Winds will slowly ease through the day on Friday, but with temperature highs of just –4 C to –10 C, afternoon wind chills will still be in the minus teens for most of the region. The cold temperatures will make travel difficult, and people are advised to take necessary precautions to stay safe.
Power Outages and Preparations
Nova Scotia Power has activated its emergency operations center in anticipation of knocked-out power lines. Earlier this week, almost 30,000 homes and businesses across Nova Scotia were left without power as a large, low-pressure system dumped heavy, wet snow across the province, leading to the shutdown of a major highway. The utility said the extra weight of wet snow and ice on trees can snap branches and bring down power lines and utility poles. People are advised to be prepared for power outages and to take necessary precautions to stay safe.
Recovery and Future Weather
Temperatures will recover somewhat on Saturday and even more so on Sunday as the next front approaches with more flurries. Behind that front will be more midwinter-like temperatures for early next week. The region can expect a brief respite from the cold temperatures before another cold front moves in, bringing more winter-like weather. People are advised to stay informed about the weather forecast and to take necessary precautions to stay safe during the cold snap.
