Messy storm set for the Maritimes on Thursday

A powerful storm is on the horizon for the Maritimes, set to bring a messy mix of weather on Thursday. The Colorado Low, a weather system originating from Colorado, is expected to impact travel with a combination of snow, ice pellets, freezing rain, rain, and gusty winds.

New Brunswick is likely to bear the brunt of the storm, with central and northern areas expecting widespread snowfall amounts of 15 to 25 centimetres. Further south, there may be a mix of three to six hours of ice pellets and freezing rain, although there is still some uncertainty about which form of icing will dominate.

Ice pellets can create hazardous travel conditions, but freezing rain poses a greater threat as it can lead to icy surfaces and potential power outages, especially when accompanied by strong winds. Southeast winds are expected to gust between 50 and 70 km/h across most of Nova Scotia, P.E.I., and the Fundy coast of New Brunswick, with even stronger gusts of 70 to 90 km/h possible for Cape Breton.

The snow is projected to begin on Thursday morning in western Nova Scotia and most of New Brunswick, spreading eastward throughout the afternoon. Western and central Nova Scotia, as well as southern New Brunswick, will see a mix of snow turning to ice pellets and freezing rain during the afternoon. Eastern Nova Scotia, including Cape Breton, and P.E.I. will experience a similar mix transitioning to ice through the evening and into the night.

Temperatures are expected to rise into the low to mid-single digits in most of Nova Scotia on Thursday evening, resulting in a mix of rain and drizzle. The system will move out, making way for colder temperatures and clearer skies on Friday. However, another storm is looming on the horizon for Sunday, with the potential for another mix of snow, ice, rain, and wind.

Stay informed and prepared for the upcoming storm, and stay tuned for updates as the situation evolves.