From increasing rainfall in British Columbia and freezing rain in the Prairies to a looming storm in Atlantic Canada, winter weather continues to hit Canada this month.
The latest episode of wintry conditions comes days after Environment Canada released its seasonal forecast, warning Canadians to expect a “full range” of winter weather.
In Nova Scotia, the agency issued a yellow winter storm warning for Victoria, Inverness, Antigonish and Pictou counties, as well as northern Colchester County.
The report said periods of light snow will continue in Nova Scotia on Sunday, with the snow increasing in the early evening. Snow will continue until Monday afternoon across northeastern parts of the mainland, with western Cape Breton possibly seeing similar conditions into Monday evening.
People are advised to be careful when traveling as visibility could suddenly drop to zero, with the Ministry of Environment predicting 25 to 40 centimeters of snow during the storm and wind gusts of 80 to 90 km/h.
The hurricane is also expected to impact Kings County on Prince Edward Island.
A yellow warning has also been issued for much of central and western Newfoundland, as well as the eastern part of the Northern Peninsula. An orange winter storm warning has been issued for Heroes Bay and Gander. Unlike regular yellow warnings, an orange warning is issued when severe and widespread impacts are expected and could last for several days.
Newfoundland's warning said snow will begin Sunday night or around midnight in the western and central parts of the province and early Monday morning on the Great Northern Peninsula. The heaviest snowfall intensity is expected to fall during the day on Monday, with snow totals forecast at 20-35cm.
Those under an orange warning could see 20 to 30 cm, with Environment Canada noting the storm in these regions is expected to persist into Tuesday morning.
Back in Nova Scotia, Colchester-Cobequid Bay, Truro and the south, as well as Cumberland County, are under a yellow snow warning Sunday night with 15 to 20 cm expected, with conditions expected to improve Monday morning, the agency said.
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Queens County, PEI is also under a snow warning.
Halifax, Hants, Kings, Guysborough, Richmond and Cape Breton counties are under a special weather forecast with 10-15cm of snow forecast and potentially 15-20mm of rain in some coastal areas. The agency says the downpour on Sunday morning will change to periods of rain in coastal Cape Breton and the Eastern Shore, while wet, heavy snow will increase inland.
“Today a full transition to snow is forecast for all areas of Nova Scotia as winds increase from the north,” the statement said.
The prairie cold is getting warmer, but it's snowing and freezing rain
Cold weather warnings issued Saturday across much of the Prairies have been lifted in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, but warnings for freezing rain and snow remain in effect.
Periods of freezing rain are forecast for parts of central Alberta, extending west to Grand Cache and east to include St. Paul and Lloydminster. A small portion of western Saskatchewan, including Lloydminster, Loon Lake and Maidstone, is also under a freezing rain warning.
The rain is expected to stop in both provinces later Sunday morning, but Environment Canada is warning people to stay safe as sidewalks and roads will become icy and slippery. Some spots are difficult to see.
Parts of western Alberta are forecast to see some heavy snowfall totaling 20 to 30 cm over the next two days.
The snow is expected to start Sunday morning and taper off by the evening, but a second round will begin later Sunday evening and taper off by Monday morning.
Grand Prairie, Big Lakes County near High Prairie and Manning are among the communities expected to see snow.
Wetter weather in British Columbia
Yellow warnings for snow and rain are in effect in British Columbia. Environment Canada is forecasting rainfall amounts of 50 to 70 cm across Metro Vancouver, including the cities of Vancouver, Burnaby, West Vancouver and Maple Ridge, as well as Whistler and Penticton.
The agency says while light to moderate rain will fall on Sunday, a stronger frontal system will bring heavier rain in the evening. The heaviest rain is expected early Monday night before tapering off in the afternoon.
The BC River Forecasting Center has issued increased flow advisories for coastal regions, with flood warnings in effect in the Fraser Valley around Abbotsford.
Other locations such as Fort Nelson, BC-Peace River, Atlin, Haines Junction and the Cassiar Mountains are under a yellow snowfall warning, with snowfall amounts in Fort Nelson ranging from 20 to 30 cm. Communities such as Atlin and Haines Junction are expected to see between 15 and 25 cm.
The northern coast of British Columbia, including Kitimat, Stuart and Terrace, is also under a winter storm warning, with snow mixed with freezing rain expected Sunday morning. Temperatures are forecast to gradually rise Sunday afternoon and evening, bringing sleet mixed with rain.
Increased amounts of snow are also expected in Ontario, with snow squall warnings in effect for London, Barrie, Owen Sound and Saugeen Shores.
Some areas, such as Barry and Owen Sound, will see accumulations of 5 to 15 cm. However, other locations could see 20 to 40 cm of snow as a particularly severe snow squall develops near Lake Huron. The heaviest snowfall is expected west of London, but flurries will move across the city on Sunday before easing in the evening.
St. Thomas, Aylmer, eastern and western Elgin, Rodney and Stratford counties are under a special weather advisory with between 5 and 10 cm expected beginning Sunday afternoon.
