‘Messy weather’ expected Thursday with snow, freezing rain possible

CITYnews halifax / By Mark Hodgins

The wintry weather is expected to continue this week in Halifax and across much of the province.

A special weather statement has been issued by Environment Canada, calling for snow, ice pellets and periods of freezing rain on Thursday.

Snowfall amounts could total between five to 10 centimetres of snow for northeastern parts of the province.

“Similar events in the past have led to: localized utility outages, traffic delays and hazardous driving conditions,” it reads.

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The statement says snow will begin on Thursday morning, transitioning through to freezing rain through the afternoon.

“There remains at this time uncertainty in the icing amounts,” the statement read. “Warnings may be required as this event draws nearer.”

The national forecaster says southern sections of the province may see a change to rain later in the day Thursday.

A winter storm watch is in effect for the northeastern tip of the province on Wednesday with Environment Canada saying that 15 to 30 centimetres of snow is possible. Wind gusts are also set to pick up in those communities with blowing snow at 130 km/h possible.

“Several hours of heavy snow and blowing snow are expected. Travel will likely be impacted. A period of ice pellets and then rain are expected overnight into Friday morning,” the weather agency said.

The storm coming is a low-pressure system from the United States that is bringing massive amounts of snow to Ontario and Quebec before it is expected to also drop “significant snow” in New Brunswick and P.E.I.