Rain, freezing rain warnings force many schools to close

A freezing rain warning has forced many schools to close across the province on Friday.

All schools in the Anglophone West School District are closed. In the Francophone South School District, all schools in the Fredericton and Oromocto areas are closed. All schools in the Francophone North-West areclosed.

In the Anglophone North School District, all schools inthe Dalhousie andCampbelltonareas are closed.

Environment Canada issued a freezing rain and rainfallwarning for most of the province.

The weather agency said adeveloping low-pressure system over the eastern United States is forecast to track north and pass west of the Maritimes on Fridaybefore moving north into Quebec on Saturday.

• Check out the latest cancellations at New Brunswick's Storm Centre

Rain and strong southerly winds associated with this system will begin over southwestern New Brunswick this morning and spread across the remainder of the province throughout the day.

In parts of central and northwestern New Brunswick, the weather agency said precipitation will begin as freezing rain today before transitioning to rain as temperatures rise.

Right now,rainfall amounts of up to 30 millimetresare forecast for central and northwestern New Brunswick by Saturday afternoon. Higher amounts could approach60 mmin southwestern New Brunswick.

Special weather statements in effect

Meanwhile, a special weather statement is in effect for the Acadian Peninsula, the Bathurst and Chaleur region, Kent County, the Miramichi area, Moncton and southeastern New Brunswick.

Those areas can expect up to 20 mm of rain by Saturday afternoon.

"Higher than normal water levels are possible along parts of the Bay of Chaleur coast and the Acadian Peninsula at high tide Saturday afternoon," Environment Canada said.

Southerly winds are also expected to travel up to 80 km/h, especially over exposed coastal areas and over the higher terrain in southern New Brunswick Friday night into Saturday morning.

5 winter car hacks to keep your car from freezing

6 years ago

Duration 2:19

If youre parking outside this winter, check these five ways to keep your car from freezing up."The southerly winds will bring unseasonably warm temperatures to the province on Friday night and Saturday, with daytime highs expected to reach the mid-teens for parts of New Brunswick on Saturday," Environment Canada said in a statement.

"The rain and melting snow may cause minor flooding in some areas. Cool northwesterly winds behind the system will quickly drop temperatures to below freezing by Sunday morning."

The weather agency said the downpours could also cause flash flooding and water pooling on roads.