Incoming storm to bring significant rain then rapid freeze to Nova Scotia
The system, which is still developing across the U.S. plains, will arrive in the province on Friday afternoon, tracking in from west to east.
While we may see a few flakes of snow and some patchy freezing rain on the northern edge of the storm on Friday evening, this will primarily be a rainmaker for Nova Scotia, with some significant totals likely on Friday night and into Saturday.
Western areas are on tap to see rainfall totals in the 15 to 30 millimetres range, with higher totals ranging from 30 to 50 millimetres looking most likely for southern and eastern regions of the province, including the South Shore, Halifax, Truro, Pictou, Antigonish, Eastern Shore and Cape Breton regions. Local amounts could exceed 50 millimetres in some areas.
Unfortunately the most significant rain will be falling on areas which were hit hardest by the snow earlier this month.
The southerly winds will also be howling with this system, with widespread gusts in the 50 to 60 km/h range, and stronger 70 to 90 km/h gusts possible for eastern areas on Friday night and early Saturday. As the southerly winds bump temperatures into the mid single digits, further snow melt will follow.
If you can, prepare your property ahead of time by making sure the rain and melting snow has an exit route because more precipitation is expected after the storm.
Rapid freeze
More importantly, as temperatures drop any slush and standing water will freeze solid by the time we get to Sunday morning. If you are traveling late Saturday or early on Sunday, be extra cautious as untreated surfaces will be icy.
Temperatures will remain below the freezing mark on Sunday afternoon, which means the ice will be sticking around.
The good news is, temperatures are expected to rise again by the middle of next week as we say goodbye to February.
In fact, there’s strong agreement that Nova Scotia will see warmer-than-average temperatures for the first week of March.
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