Winter storm approaching, alerts Environment Canada (update)
Posted Jan 1, 2018 01:19:00 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
WEATHER ALERT
ENVIRONMENT CANADA
************************
4:00 PM AST Wednesday 03 January 2018
Snowfall warning in effect for:
- Halifax Metro and Halifax County West
Snowfall, with total amounts of 15 to 20 cm is expected.
A developing low pressure system east of Florida will intensify rapidly into a major winter storm tonight and Thursday as it approaches the Maritimes from the southwest. The intense storm centre will track near the Bay of Fundy Thursday night and into the Gulf of St Lawrence Friday morning.
Snow at times heavy will begin over Nova Scotia Thursday morning.
Snow is expected to change to rain over southwestern Nova Scotia and along parts of the Atlantic coast fairly quickly but inland and over higher terrain snow mixed with ice pellets will persist through the afternoon giving total amounts up to 20 centimetres before the changeover. In addition, very strong easterly winds will give occasionally very poor visibilities in blowing snow inland before temperatures rise to the freezing mark or slightly above.
Environment Canada continues to closely monitor the development of this storm and will provide updates as the storm nears.
To report severe weather, send an email to ec.weatheraspc.ec@canada.ca or tweet reports using #nsstorm.
Prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions. Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow. There may be a significant impact on rush hour traffic in urban areas.
Snowfall warnings are issued when significant snowfall is expected.
Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to ec.weatheraspc.ec@canada.ca or tweet reports using #NSStorm.
3:58 PM AST Wednesday 03 January 2018
Wind warning in effect for:
- Halifax Metro and Halifax County West
Dangerous wind gusts causing widespread damage are expected or occurring.
A developing low pressure system east of Florida will intensify rapidly into a major winter storm tonight and Thursday as it approaches the Maritimes from the southwest. The intense storm centre will track near the Bay of Fundy Thursday night and into the Gulf of St Lawrence Friday morning.
Very strong easterly winds gusting to 100 km/h are forecast to develop over the entire province of Nova Scotia on Thursday. Over exposed areas near the coast these winds could gust as high as 130 km/h with the strongest gusts along parts of the Atlantic coast during the afternoon.
Very strong south to southwesterly winds generally gusting to 110 km/h with potential gusts to 140 km/h along parts of the Atlantic coast will develop Thursday night into Friday morning as the intense storm tracks north of the province.
Environment Canada continues to closely monitor the development of this storm and will provide updates as the storm nears.
To report severe weather, send an email to ec.weatheraspc.ec@canada.ca or tweet reports using #nsstorm.
High winds may cause numerous downed trees and damage may occur from blowing debris. Store or anchor objects so they are not tossed by the wind causing injury or damage.
Wind warnings are issued when there is a significant risk of damaging winds.
Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to ec.weatheraspc.ec@canada.ca or tweet reports using #NSStorm.
3:57 PM AST Wednesday 03 January 2018
Rainfall warning in effect for:
- Halifax Metro and Halifax County West
Rain, heavy at times is expected. The frozen ground has a reduced ability to absorb this rainfall.
A developing low pressure system east of Florida will intensify rapidly into a major winter storm tonight and Thursday as it approaches the Maritimes from the southwest. The intense storm centre will track near the Bay of Fundy Thursday night and into the Gulf of St Lawrence Friday morning.
Snow and ice pellets will develop Thursday morning ahead of this system but is expected to quickly change to rain over southwestern Nova Scotia and parts of the Atlantic Coast. Rain at times heavy will continue into the early evening then end or taper to a few showers. Total rainfall amounts of 30 to 50 millimetres are expected.
It is important to note that due to the frozen ground, rain may initially freeze on contact with the cold ground and very little of the rainfall will be absorbed so water pooling in low lying areas is likely.
Environment Canada continues to closely monitor the development of this storm and will provide updates as the storm nears.
To report severe weather, send an email to ec.weatheraspc.ec@canada.ca or tweet reports using #nsstorm.
Localized flooding in low-lying areas is possible. Heavy downpours can cause flash floods and water pooling on roads.
Rainfall warnings are issued when significant rainfall is expected.
Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to ec.weatheraspc.ec@canada.ca or tweet reports using #NSStorm.
3:56 PM AST Wednesday 03 January 2018
Storm surge warning in effect for:
- Halifax Metro and Halifax County West
High Storm Surge levels and large waves are expected to impact the coast.
A developing low pressure system east of Florida will intensify rapidly into a major winter storm tonight and Thursday as it approaches the Maritimes from the southwest. The intense storm centre will track near the Bay of Fundy Thursday night and into the Gulf of St Lawrence Friday morning.
During high tide Thursday evening, water levels along the Atlantic coast will be elevated enough to cause coastal flooding in vulnerable areas. In addition very large waves coming in to the coast from the south and east will contribute to the high water and will likely cause some damage to coastal infrastructure.
Storm surge warnings may need to be extended to other parts of the province on Thursday.
Environment Canada continues to closely monitor the development of this storm and will provide updates as the storm nears.
Please continue to to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada.
To report severe weather, send an email to ec.weatheraspc.ec@canada.ca or tweet reports using #nsstorm.
High waves combined with the surge may cause damage along the coast. Coastal flooding is likely. Coastal erosion is likely in vulnerable areas. Stay away from affected shorelines. People close to the shoreline should stay on the lookout for worsening conditions. Do not attempt to travel across flooded roads as even shallow, fast-moving water can sweep a vehicle away.
Storm surge warnings are issued when water levels pose a threat to coastal regions.
Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to ec.weatheraspc.ec@canada.ca or tweet reports using #NSStorm.
************************
