High impact blizzard to affect parts of Newfoundland
Meteorologist
Friday, January 20, 2017, 7:11 AM - Blizzard warnings cover Newfoundland's Avalon and Bonavista Peninsulas-- including St. John's and vicinity -- ahead of an incoming storm forecasters say could deliver very high amounts of snow to the region.
"Batten down the hatches in the Avalon for [Friday] night and [Saturday], as [the region] is not only looking at potentially 40 cm of snowfall, but also winds over 100km/h," says Weather Network meteorologist Kevin MacKay.
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Read below for an analysis on the approaching storm, by Weather Network meteorologist Michael Carter.
A powerful Nor’easter is threatening eastern Newfoundland on Friday and Saturday, which will bring an extended period of heavy snow, strong winds, and blizzard conditions. Though some uncertainty still exists on the details, it appears that this will be a high impact storm for the Avalon and Bonavista Peninsulas.
A disturbance in the North Atlantic well off the US Eastern Seaboard strengthened into a powerful Nor’easter late this week, tracking just off the Newfoundland coast through the weekend. The first impacts for eastern Newfoundland are likely to be felt on Friday afternoon, as light snow and northeast winds gusting over 70km/h develop late in the day.
Conditions will deteriorate rapidly through Friday night and into Saturday morning, as heavy snow and wind gusts exceeding 100km/h develop. Blizzard conditions are likely Friday night through Saturday for the Avalon and Bonavista, with heavy blowing snow and zero visibility.
Winds and snowfall rates begin to decrease Saturday night as the system departs, with light snow lingering into Sunday.
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This storm will produce a particularly sharp snowfall gradient, with a rapid decrease in snowfall accumulation as you move from east to west. With such large differences in snow amounts over a small distance, a minor shift in the track of the low pressure area could mean significant changes for the forecast at any one location.
Snowfall amounts for the hardest hit areas are likely to exceed 30 cm, with the potential for even higher amounts. The total snowfall forecast will continue to be refined as the event approaches, however recent forecast guidance has added additional support to the high-end snowfall potential.
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Regardless of the total snowfall accumulation, heavy snowfall rates coupled with very strong winds will lead to blizzard conditions from Friday night through Saturday. Blowing snow and zero visibility will make travel and outdoor exposure extremely dangerous during this time.
We’ll continue to refine the details of this event as it approaches. But for now, residents of eastern Newfoundland should continue to pay close attention to the forecast for the Friday to Saturday period, as we watch this significant winter storm take shape.
Check back for updates as we continue to monitor the forecast.
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