Nova Scotia braces for significant snowfall, high winds as nor'easter approaches
Pre-Christmas travel plans will be impacted this weekend as a nor'easter beginning Friday night will bring significant snowfall to much of the Maritimes.
The storm will develop along the Eastern Seaboard before moving south of the province on Saturday with snow along its northern edge.
The heaviest snowfall is set for Nova Scotia, P.E.I. and into southeastern New Brunswick. (Ryan Snoddon/CBC)
Most of mainland Nova Scotia, as well as P.E.I. and southeastern New Brunswick, will land in the significant snow zone, with 15-to-30 centimetres of snow expected.
Meanwhile, Cape Breton as well as eastern areas of mainland Nova Scotia are looking more likely to see a messy mix of snow and ice pellets, freezing rain and then some rain.
Snowfall warnings and special weather statements are in effect for Nova Scotia and winter storm warnings are in place for P.E.I.
Snowfall warnings and special weather statements are in effect for Nova Scotia (Ryan Snoddon/CBC)
The snow will arrive throughout Friday evening with the heaviest snowfall falling Friday night and Saturday morning for most.
The snow will taper to flurries for southern areas of Nova Scotia late morning and early afternoon, however, steady snow will linger longer for northern areas of the region before tapering to flurries late throughout the afternoon and evening.
Snow begins Friday evening across Nova Scotia, becoming heavy at times overnight (Ryan Snoddon/CBC)
Widespread wind gusts from the northeast, then northwest, in the 40-to-60 km/h range appear likely. That will lead to blowing and drifting snow on Saturday, especially for open and exposed areas.
Saturday morning will be snowy for most, with a mix to ice pellets and freezing rain and then rain in eastern Nova Scotia. (Ryan Snoddon/CBC)
Some stronger wind gusts in the 60-to-80 km/h range are possible along the Atlantic coastline on Friday night and also along the Northumberland Strait on Saturday afternoon and evening.
The heaviest snow will taper to flurries from south to north through Saturday afternoon and evening. Cape Breton as well as eastern areas of mainland Nova Scotia are looking more likely to see a mix of snow and ice pellets, freezing rain and then some rain. (Ryan Snoddon/CBC) The storm is looking set to move to the north with clearing skies and better travel conditions on Sunday. That said, onshore flurries will likely remain in the mix right into Monday for the Northumberland Shore, Cape Breton and also P.E.I.
White Christmas on the way
A white Christmas has been hard to come by in the region over the past few decades. However, it appears most of the Maritimes will see one this year.
The snow that falls on Saturday will be sticking around as cold temperatures will arrive in the region in the wake of the storm.
WATCH | Significant snowfall set for Saturday in the Maritimes:
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