Kalin’s Call: Weather front brings risk of freeze on Friday

File image. (CTV News Atlantic)

A strong cold front and a low pressure system out of the midwestern U.S. will cross the Maritimes from west-to-east Thursday evening into Friday evening.

The combination will bring heavy snow and rain as well as strong southwest winds to parts of the region. A quick drop below freezing will bring the risk of icy surfaces developing Friday afternoon and evening.

A combination of weather front and low pressure system cross the Maritimes on Friday.

The first part of this system will build Thursday, bringing patchy showers, drizzle, and fog, along with milder temperatures to the Maritimes.

Thursday night will see rain turn to snow for northern areas of New Brunswick, creating periods of ice pellets and freezing rain in between.

Rain, at times heavy, is expected for the rest of the Maritimes Friday morning and afternoon. As the front crosses, mild temperatures will quickly fall below the freezing mark in as little as an hour or two. This means that untreated surfaces could get icy quickly. The fall in temperatures may also be accompanied by a period of lighter wintry weather that includes ice pellets and snow.

Parts of the Maritimes that experience steadier rain should watch for localized flooding, as drains may be blocked, and melting snow and ice could create additional water.

Most areas start as rainy, windy weather. A quicker turn to snow and more accumulation in it expected for northern New Brunswick. The entire region will need to watch for icy surfaces Friday afternoon and evening with a quick drop in temperatures.

A southwest wind will pick up Wednesday night into Thursday morning, meaning widespread gusts of 40 to 70 km/h are likely on Thursday. The Tantramar Marsh area, spanning northern Nova Scotia and southeastern New Brunswick, could hit gusts of 80 to 100 km/h.

Northern Inverness County in Cape Breton could also be at risk of seeing gusts near or in excess of 100 km/h due to the topography of the Highlands.

A peak in southwest winds is likely Friday morning and afternoon, just ahead of the passage of the front. During that time, peak gusts may reach 80 to 100 km/h for parts of southern New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia. Gusts in northern Inverness County could reach or exceed 130 km/h.

Friday evening will see wind turn to the northwest of the region, with the wind diminishing into Saturday morning. Winds that high typically come with a risk of power outages.

High winds gusts from the southwest are expected Thursday reaching a peak Friday morning and early afternoon. A wind such as this typically come with a risk of power outages.

Wind warnings have already been issued for Nova Scotia's Cumberland County and southeastern New Brunswick. A special weather statement has been issued for the entirety of the Maritimes, citing the heavy precipitation, high winds, and rapid fall in temperatures.

The public is advised to monitor the forecast and any further weather alerts. I’ll have updates here and on CTV Atlantic News at Noon, 5 p.m., 6 p.m., and 11:30 p.m.