Storm sweeps across Maritimes bringing snow, rain, freezing rain and high winds

A winter storm hitthe Maritimes with high winds, freezing rain, blowing snow and rain Sunday, withas much as 50 centimetres of snow in northern parts of New Brunswick.

Environment Canada issued winter storm warnings formost of New Brunswick and westernP.E.I. There were rain and wind warnings in effect across Nova Scotia.

CBC meteorologist Tina Simpkin saidwarmer air Sunday afternoonwill transform snow to ice pellets, freezing rain and raininsouthern New Brunswick, the eastern half of P.E.I. and all of Nova Scotia.

Temperatures areexpected to hover around zero Sunday evening and fall again Monday, creating challenging driving conditions as precipitation hits still-frozen ground.

• STORM CENTRE | For the latest cancellations and closures in Nova Scotia
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Simpkin said most of mainland Nova Scotia will see five to 10 centimetres of snow, mixed with some ice pellets, before 10 to 15 millimetres of rain later on Sunday.

An additional 30 to 40 millimetres of rain is expected on the mainland tonight.

In Cape Breton, the storm will arrive arrive later in the afternoonwith heavy downpours resulting in about 25 millimetres of rain tonight, she said.

As wind speeds picked up Sunday night, the numberof power outages across Nova Scotia began to climb. By 8:30 p.m., about 14,900 Nova Scotia Power customers had lost electricity.

The province's Emergency Management Office said it is monitoring conditions. RCMP in Nova Scotia is advising people on the roads to slow down.

"Right now, there are some spots where one side of the road for instance is clear and wet, and the other side is frozen or still has some of the slush that's starting to freeze because colder temperatures are moving in," said RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Craig Smith.

Freezing rain as temperature rises

Between 30 and 50 centimetres of snow isforecastfornorthern parts of New Brunswick.

People are advised to stay off the roads due to snow cover, drifting and poor visibility.Part of the Trans-Canada highway, Route 2, is closed westbound at the Quebec and New Brunswick border. The closure is expected to be in place for several hours.

Southeastern parts of New Brunswick and P.E.I. will also see five to 20centimetres of snow and ice pellets before it changes to freezing rain, thenup to20 millimetres of rain.

Fredericton and northern New Brunswick will see more snow, but somefreezing rain is also expected in the Fredericton areathis evening.Simpkin said a band of freezing rain could extend to Moncton and the Miramichi.

"There could be prolonged periods of freezing rain that will persist, a little of freezing rain is never a good thing," she said. "It's going to be slippery."

CBC PEI's meteorologistJay Scotland said the Island would see a mix of precipitation with snow changing to freezing rain and thenbetween 20 and 40 millimetres of rain possible.

Since the ground is frozen, the rain may pool on the roads, saidScotland.

"With temperatures soaring this eveningthat will lead to snow melting, that rain falling, localized flooding and flooded basements will be the big concern tonight," he said.

High winds will peak tonight with gusts up to 90 to 100 km/h in parts of the Maritimes. Environment Canada is warning the high winds could damage buildings and snap tree branches.It saidtides are also very high this weekend, which could lead to elevated water levels and pounding surf along the Atlantic Coast.

Localized and flash flooding could createtreacherousdriving conditions, according to the weather service.

Power outages are also possible, with the combination of the heavy snow, the risk of freezing rain and strong winds, Scotland said.

Temperatures will drop again Monday, creating icy patches on the roads as things freeze again, he said. That cold spell will ensure things are frozen by Monday evening.

Travel affected

There have been dozens of delayed or cancelled flights at airports across the Maritimes. People are advised to check with their airlines.

Marine Atlantic sailedearlier than usual this morning between North Sydney, N.S., and Port Aux Basques, N.L.,to try to keep ahead of the messy weather.

Bay Ferries cancelled its crossings in the Bay of Fundy. The La Have ferry service in Nova Scotia has been suspended.

The Halifax Regional Municipality'sovernight parking ban will be in effect starting at 1 a.m. on Monday.