Potent Nor’Easter Eyes Newfoundland For Mid-Week
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Today (December 1st) marks the beginning of meteorological winter — and while it may not look or feel like it just yet, the story will change dramatically by Wednesday. A powerful Nor’easter is set to bring heavy snow, strong winds, and in some areas, a flip to very heavy rain.
Let’s break down what’s coming.
A Quiet Tuesday Before the Storm
After tonight’s rain in eastern Newfoundland and snow in parts of Labrador move offshore, conditions settle down. Overnight cooling will drop temperatures below freezing across most of the Island, and deep into the minus 20s in western Labraor. Minus teens elsewhere.
Tuesday itself will be calm — a good day to:
Get the snowblower running
Dig out the shovels
Put away that last bit of patio furniture
Prep for the mid-week storm
Clouds will increase through the day as the Nor’easter approaches.
Special Weather Statement Issued
Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued a Special Weather Statement for nearly all of Newfoundland (except the Northern Peninsula). This storm will bring:
Heavy snow for central, northeast, and parts of eastern Newfoundland
Rain and snow mix — especially over southeastern areas
Very strong winds
Significant rain (50+ mm) in parts of the southern Avalon and Burin
The most impactful weather arrives Wednesday morning into Wednesday night.
Snowfall Expectations
Where the forecast is most straightforward
From Port aux Basques → Grand Falls-Windsor → Gander → Bonavista → Fogo/Twillingate → Northeast Coast/Bonavista Peninsula, a widespread 15–30 cm is likely.
Further west (Corner Brook, Bay St. George, back to Port aux Basques):
• 5–15 cm, leaning toward the higher end.
Northern Peninsula:
• Less than 5 cm — not a big snow event there.
Where the forecast becomes tricky: Avalon & Burin Peninsulas
This is where track, timing, and elevation matter — a lot.
Snow starts early Wednesday (around 5–6 AM).
It could snow through late morning or midday before flipping to rain.
If the changeover holds off until midday:
→ ~20 cm is possible for parts of the northeast Avalon.If the change happens earlier (mid-morning):
→ More like 10 cm.
Elevation will make a big difference.
Higher terrain could see 20+ cm before the rain arrives.
Coastal areas may see closer to 10 cm even with several hours of snow.
Burin Peninsula:
5–10 cm before a quick change to very heavy rain.
Ice pellets are also on the table during the transition for the Avalon and Burin Peninsulas..
Timing: How Wednesday Looks
By early Wednesday morning, snow has spread into the south coast, the Burin Peninsula, and Avalon.
Wednesday morning:
Heavy snow across much of the Island, especially in central and northeastern Newfoundland
Very intense snowfall bands possible (5+ cm/hour) even on the Avalon for a time Wednesday morning.
Rapidly deteriorating travel conditions
Blowing and drifting snow inland where temperatures remain colder
By midday:
Rain works onto the Avalon and Burin Peninsulas
Temperatures in St. John’s may reach 5°C
Snow continues all day for central & western Newfoundland
Wednesday evening:
Rain tapers in the east
Snow continues central/northeast
Low pulls away overnight
Conditions improve early Thursday
Wind: Strong Through Wednesday & Wednesday Night
Northeast and easterly wind gusts 80–100 km/h are likely Wednesday, especially around eastern Newfoundland. Winds ease slightly as the low passes, then surge again Wednesday night before calming by Thursday morning.
Beyond the Storm
Thursday: Quiet but colder.
Friday: Another system may bring rain changing to snow in the east, with western areas more likely to see snow.
Labrador: Light flurries but no major systems late week.
Temperature trend: Much colder through the weekend, with highs near or below freezing for the Island and much colder inland.
Stay Updated
Make sure you’ve got the Sheerr Weather app for detailed local forecasts and push alerts. I’ll also have live updates and breakdowns on socials, along with livestreams through Tuesday and Wednesday.
A messy, impactful mid-week system is on the way — prepare now, and stay tuned for updates as the forecast fine-tunes.
I’ll have my next update posted over the weekend.
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