Freezing rain to hit HRM Monday

Consider giving yourself some extra time as your drive Monday could be a little bit more difficult. Environment Canada has issued a freezing rain warning for HRM.

According to the weather agency, freezing rain is expected to start around noon and continue throughout the afternoon.

Total ice accretion of four to eight millimetres is expected, making roads and walkways slippery. Pay extra attention when driving or walking outside.

Freezing rain transitions into rain overnight as temperatures begin to climb, reaching a high of 5 C on Tuesday. Temperatures are dropping Tuesday night and levelling out around -5 C for the rest of the week.

A winter storm warning is in effect for the west coast of Cape Breton Island which is forecasted to see snow and high winds.

While total snowfall amounts are only two to four centimetres, wind gusts of up to 80 km/h will create conditions of blowing snow.

“Visibility will likely be suddenly reduced to near zero at times,” Environment Canada says. “Prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions.”