Achi news desk-
An early spring storm is set to bring rain, strong winds and heavy snow to five provinces in Eastern Canada.
According to CTV Your Morning meteorologist Kelsey McEwen, a low in Colorado will bring rain to southern Ontario by midday on Tuesday, with strong easterly winds of up to 80 km/h coming in the evening. Thunderstorms are also possible overnight.
Heavy rain is forecast to transition to wet snow starting late Wednesday through Thursday night for cities like Toronto and Ottawa. Eastern and central Ontario, as well as areas along the Oak Ridges Maraine and Niagara Escarpment, are at even greater risk of heavy snow. As much as 50 millimeters of rain and up to 20 centimeters of snow are expected.
The impending storm has caused Environment Canada to issue special weather statements for southern Ontario and Quebec, as well as New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia.
“Power outages will be possible,” Environment Canada warns. “Travel can become dangerous due to accumulating snow and reduced visibility.”
The storm will begin to affect Quebec and cities such as Montreal starting Wednesday afternoon. By Wednesday night, the storm is expected to merge with a coastal low and move into Atlantic Canada.
Much of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia could see 10 to 20 cm of snow Wednesday night into Friday morning, with locally higher amounts in northeastern New Brunswick and Cape Breton. Prince Edward Island is likely to see the same amount of snow from Thursday into Friday morning along with breezy easterly winds.
“The snow is likely to be wet and very heavy in nature,” Environment Canada warned. “This, combined with gusty easterly winds, can cause tree branches to snap. Utility outages can occur.”
Across the country in Alberta, special weather statements are in effect for many western and southern parts of the province, including Calgary, Lethbridge, Drumheller and national parks such as Banff, Jasper and Waterton Lakes.
“A significant change in the weather is coming this week, with cooler temperatures and snowfall expected,” explained Environment Canada. “Today’s above normal temperatures will be quickly followed by a multi-day snow event as a cold front sweeps through Alberta on Wednesday.”
Seasonally warm temperatures will give way to snow starting Tuesday in Alberta’s northern foothills before moving south on Wednesday. Lasting until Friday, 10 to 30 cm is possible, with the heaviest snowfall expected in Alberta’s foothills and mountain parks.
A rainfall warning is also currently in effect for the inland part of BC’s central coast, including Kitimat and Bella Coola, where a total of 50 mm is expected by midday.
“Localized flooding is possible in low-lying areas,” Environment Canada warned. “Watch for potential washouts near rivers, creeks and culverts.”
Snowfall warnings are in place in the meantime for the Fort Simpson region of the Northwest Territories, where 10 to 20 cm is expected from Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday morning.
