Spring may have sprung but it appears Mother Nature didn’t get the memo; a major winter storm is headed for the Maritimes this week.
The system is expected to bring significant snowfall and strong winds to the region Wednesday.
“Right now, one component of the storm is just taking shape along Florida’s west coast,” says CTV meteorologist Cindy Day.
“The storm will be off the Carolina Coast tomorrow morning…there will be a northern or cold air low travelling across the lower Great Lakes. The two will come together and form one large storm.”
Day says Wednesday’s storm is considered a weather bomb, which is defined as a rapidly intensifying low-pressure system in which the central pressure drops 24 millibars in less than 24 hours.
“All computer models project a central drop of as much as 40 millibars in 24 hours,” says Day.
“That’s significant because that will tighten the pressure gradient and trigger a very strong counter-clockwise circulation around the storm’s center.”
Day says winds will turn to the northeast as the storm approaches, resulting in gusts of over 100 kilometres per hour in some areas.
The rapid drop in pressure is also expected to bring a strong storm surge to Nova Scotia’s Atlantic coast.
Day says the storm will begin over southwestern New Brunswick and the western half of mainland Nova Scotia before sunrise, working its way east throughout the day.
The system could bring as much as 35 centimetres of snow to some Maritime communities.
Between 25 and 35 centimetres of snow is expected along western Nova Scotia, the South Shore, and the Annapolis Valley.
Cape Breton, northern mainland Nova Scotia, eastern Nova Scotia and Halifax will likely see between 20 and 30 centimetres.
Between 20 and 30 centimetres is expected in southern New Brunswick and eastern New Brunswick, as well as P.E.I.
Central New Brunswick and western New Brunswick will see between 15 and 20 centimetres. Less than 10 centimetres is expected in northern New Brunswick.
Snow budgets bursting as another storm nears
In a winter with several significant storms, it has been difficult for Maritime communities to keep their winter works budgets clear of deficits.
The City of Charlottetown budgeted $2 million for snow and ice removal in 2013 but the actual cost was over budget by about $600,000.
Fredericton budgeted $2.1 million this winter but an additional $60,000 has already been spent.
In Saint John, nearly two-thirds of 2014’s $5.8 million budget has already been spent.
The Cape Breton Regional Municipality is expected to see a cost overrun of $500,000 on its $2-million budget.
Halifax is getting ready to present this year’s winter works budget to its regional council later this week.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Kelland Sundahl
