Maritimers are bracing for a spring storm that is expected to bring significant snowfall, strong winds and powerful storm surges to the region.
CTV meteorologist Cindy Day says the storm will land in the Yarmouth area before sunrise Wednesday, pushing up through Halifax, Saint John and the Annapolis Valley between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m.
It will continue to move throughout Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and into Prince Edward Island throughout the morning and early afternoon. Day says the snow will start to fly in Cape Breton around 2 p.m.
The storm is expected to continue in the late afternoon and early evening into southern Newfoundland, where winds will also be intense but less snow is forecast.
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.”
Between 30 and 40 centimetres is expected along southwestern Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia’s South Shore, southeastern New Brunswick and in central P.E.I.
Central Nova Scotia will likely see 30 centimetres of snow, while the eastern half of the mainland will see about 20 centimetres. Day says there will be a changeover to rain for several hours before changing back to snow Wednesday evening.
The New Brunswick side of the Bay of Fundy could see up to 30 centimetres of snow, while central New Brunswick will see between 10 and 15 centimetres. Less than five centimetres is expected in northern New Brunswick.
Strong winds are expected to intensify late Tuesday, gusting up to 100 km/hr hour along the Atlantic coast by noon Wednesday.
Prince Edward Island is expected to see particularly powerful gusts, with winds expected to reach 110 km/hr. The province's Office of Public Safety is advising Islanders to prepare for the possibility of power disruptions.
"Snow and ice buildup on tree branches, rooftops and utility lines can lead to dangerous conditions with breaking branches, downed utility lines and possibly power outages," the office said in a news release.
Storm surge warnings are in effect and coastal communities are preparing for flooding and potential damage to docks and properties.
“Tomorrow afternoon and evening, higher-than-normal water levels combined with rapidly-rising wave activity could produce local flooding along much of the Atlantic coast of mainland Nova Scotia during the high tide late Wednesday,” says Day.
“These high water levels combined with the heavy pounding surf could give rise to some coastal erosion in some areas.”
Gordon Hayward, the manager of winter operations for Halifax, said the storm will likely take the city over its $20 million annual budget for snow removal.
Hayward said it's not uncommon for snow removal crews to be out clearing the streets late in March, but he doesn't recall similar forecasts of such snow accumulation and wind speeds this time of year.
"If you don't have to be out there, stay off the road,” warns Hayward. “It's not going to be fun, it's not going to be pretty."
Neera Ritcey, spokeswoman for Nova Scotia Power, said the utility is watching for a combination of heavy, wet snow and wind and is deploying repair crews around the province.
"We're ready to respond as needed," she said.
Some flights at Maritime airports have already been rescheduled and officials are expecting a long list of delays and cancellations Wednesday.
“Right now it looks like we will be getting a pretty good dump of snow with some pretty high winds, perhaps followed by some rain,” says Halifax Stanfield International Airport spokesperson Peter Spurway.
“I think it’s a pretty safe bet there will be some pretty significant flight disruptions.”
Police in all three provinces are warning motorists to watch for blowing snow and blizzard-like conditions and to stay off roads if possible.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Cindy Day, Kelland Sundahl and The Canadian Press
