Severe weather in store for Newfoundland, southern Saskatchewan

Environment Canada issued several weather warnings for the nation Friday, including blowing snow on the island of Newfoundland and southern Saskatchewan, with the possibility of minor coastal flooding in southeastern Newfoundland.

High waves were expected for some areas of Newfoundland, which has been hit with widespread power outages, while drivers in parts of southeast Saskatchewan were warned to stay off the roads.

In a weather warning for several areas in southeastern Newfoundland, the federal weather service warned of winds gusting between 100 and 130 km/h, with near zero visibility. That warning applied to the Bonavista North, Terra Nova, Clarenville areas, plus the Avalon and Bonavista peninsulas, which includes the capital city of St. John’s.

“Official and unofficial snowfall reports indicate widespread 20 to 40 centimetres snowfall accumulations so far through this morning with higher amounts likely over some areas,” Environment Canada said, adding another 10 to 30 cm are forecast for some areas in southeastern Newfoundland.

On its website, Newfoundland Power reported widespread outages throughout the affected area.

As of noon Eastern Time Friday, no warnings or watches were in effect for either the Corner Brook area on the west side of the island of Newfoundland, or for Labrador.

“Blizzard conditions are forecast to improve this afternoon or evening as the snow begins to taper to flurries or drizzle,” Environment Canada said of the areas under weather warnings in the southeast. “In addition, high waves and pounding surf can be expected for the Bonavista and Avalon Peninsula today. This will cause higher than normal water levels which could result in minor coastal flooding at high tide this evening.”

In Saskatchewan, Environment Canada forecast snow and blowing snow in the Yorkton-Melville-Esterhazy area, in the southeastern area of the province, would end today. Blowing snow was also reported in Weyburn, about 100 kilometres southeast of Regina.

“Travel is not advised on many highways in the warning area today with some local road closures,” according to the warning for Yorkton-Melville-Esterhazy.

No warnings or watches were in effect for Regina.

Early Friday morning, Environment Canada reported snow and blowing snow south of a line from Melville through Indian Head to Gravelbour, which essentially runs northeast and southwest just east of Regina. Later on a band of snow was reported from Rocanville and Moose Mountain through Weyburn and into the Rockglen and Coronach areas, near the U.S. border.

Environment Canada reported snowfall of 15 to 25 cm in some areas of Saskatchewan but added the cold front that brought the snow is moving into North and South Dakota.