Winter Storm Watch (Yellow) Issued by Environment Canada for snow Christmas Day into Boxing Day
The Environment and Climate Change Canada Weather Office in Gander has issued a WINTER STORM WATCH (YELLOW LEVEL) for the following areas:
Avalon Peninsula North
Avalon Peninsula Southeast
St. John’s and vicinity
Avalon Peninsula Southwest
Grand Falls-Windsor and vicinity
Bay of Exploits
Bonavista North
Bonavista Peninsula
Clarenville and vicinity
Gander and vicinity
Green Bay - White Bay
Terra Nova
Locations in this alert include central, northeastern, and eastern Newfoundland, including the Avalon Peninsula. Snow will arrive early Christmas morning and will taper off late Thursday evening over much of the island, except on the Northern Peninsula, where it will continue into Boxing Day.
Environment and Climate Change Canada is projecting 15 to 25 cm over eastern Newfoundland and 20 to 35 cm over northeastern Newfoundland. There is a chance that much of Avalon will experience rain at some point on Christmas Day, which could lead to 5 to 15 mm of rain falling on top of the snow.
Wind gusts will reach 60 to 80 mph on Thursday and 80 to 110 mph on Friday. The wind will come from the southeast to northeast on Thursday, then shift to the northwest and turn southwest Thursday night into Friday.
Blowing snow will be an issue for locations that remain mostly snow and stay a few degrees below freezing. That being said, the high wind speeds and heavy snowfall rates at times will reduce visibility and make travel difficult.
There is still some uncertainty with the exact track and strength of this system, which may lead to changes in the projected amount and winds. Travel will be affected, and consider changing travel plans before or after the storm if possible.
A second system appears likely from Friday night into Saturday, at this time, and additional alerts will likely be needed as this second storm has the potential to bring additional heavy snowfall to the same areas, along with another round of wind.
The alert lists the impact level as moderate and the forecast confidence as high.
A Special Weather Statement is also in effect for the following areas between Christmas Day and Boxing Day:
Burin Peninsula
Connaigre
Buchans and the Interior
Northern Peninsula East
Parson’s Pond - Hawke’s Bay
Port Saunders and the Straits
Environment and Climate Change states that southeastern, southern, and interior areas of the Island may see a winter storm on Christmas Day. Snowfall projections for this area are 10 to 20 cm, and wind speeds could reach 80 km/h on Thursday and Thursday night. The direction on Thursday will be southeastern, turning northeast, and Thursday will be westerly, turning southwesterly. Blowing snow is likely over exposed areas.
For the Northern Peninsula, snowfall will begin Thursday afternoon and continue into Friday afternoon. Projected amounts are currently 15 to 30 cm. Wind gusts will be northeast, turning northwest between 80 and 110 km/h. Blowing snow will be widespread.
Additionally, a similar system may affect this area Friday night into Saturday with similar weather conditions.
Keep in mind the above is information from Environment and Climate Change Canada. The foroecasts you see from me, and inside my app, may differ over the coming days.
