Daily Weather Brief: Active weekend ahead

Friday, March 20, 2015, 6:47 PM - The first weekend of spring will be met with active weather. Storms are targeting both coasts, while Ontario and Quebec are expecting a dip in temperatures. Here's your Saturday weather brief.

Atlantic Canada

• Maritimes: Special weather statements are out for parts of Nova Scotia and PEI ahead of a weekend storm. The system will move in Saturday into Sunday as two systems merge over the region. A rain/snow mix is possible across the Maritimes, with the rain potentially reaching warning levels in some areas.
• Newfoundland: The incoming system reaches Newfoundland with a rain/snow mix by Saturday evening, along with wind gusts in excess of 100 km/h in some places.
• Atlantic Canada Spring Outlook: The stormy pattern across Atlantic Canada this winter will likely continue into April with the potential for late-season winter-like storms, according to The Weather Network’s 2015 Spring Outlook for March, April and May.

Ontario and Quebec

• Ontario: A low pressure system will bring rain/snow showers to northern Ontario through into Saturday morning, with snow north of cottage country. Sharp cold hits  the south Saturday afternoon, with gusty winds and falling temperatures for the evening, continuing into Sunday.
• Quebec: Scattered flurries and mixed precipitation are expected in the south. Temperatures will hover near the freezing mark during the day.
• Ontario Spring Outlook: Arctic air will linger deep into spring, creating the potential for late season snowfalls in parts of Ontario, according to The Weather Network’s 2015 Spring Outlook for March, April and May

Western Canada

• Prairies: Light snow is tracking through from Edmonton to Regina and south of Winnipeg over the next few days. Total amounts could add up to a coating of snow in parts of Alberta and Saskatchewan by Tuesday.
• British Columbia: Rain will be lighter Saturday, accompanied by gustier winds through the afternoon and evening around Comox. There will be a brief break in the active weather on Sunday, with yet another round coming in Sunday evening into Monday.
• West coast Spring Outlook: B.C. is ahead of the pack in Canada, having experienced spring-like weather already in the latter half of winter. Expect March, however to be close to seasonal in temperature. After a cold few days to start the month in the Prairies, a period of spring-like temperatures is expected through the second week of March. The mild temperatures will not be here to stay

See these regional outlooks: National | British Columbia | Prairies | Ontario | Quebec | Atlantic Region