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Freezing rain, whiteout conditions as storm rolls in across New Brunswick

Up to 25 centimetres of snow could fall in northern New Brunswick by Tuesday morning, says CBC meterologist Tina Simpkin. (Craig Paisley/CBC - image credit)
Up to 25 centimetres of snow could fall in northern New Brunswick by Tuesday morning, says CBC meterologist Tina Simpkin. (Craig Paisley/CBC - image credit)

New Brunswickers who were spared the worst of last week's storm are getting a taste of heavy snow Monday.

Environment Canada has issued snowfall warnings for Acadian Peninsula, Bathurst and Chaleur Region, Mount Carleton, Renous Highway, and the counties of Restigouche, Madawaska and Victoria, including Edmundston, Campbellton and Grand Falls.

By early Monday afternoon, snow and freezing rain had already begun falling in the eastern and southern parts of the province.

Up to 20 centimetres of snow are expected in the northern areas, with up to 10 centimetres expected for southern areas, CBC meteorologist Ryan Snoddon said.

The heaviest snow will start across the northwest Monday afternoon, the bulk of it falling in the afternoon and evening. In some areas, the snow will change to rain in the evening.

"The rain will be heaviest along the Atlantic coastline, where generally 20 to 40 mm is expected," Snoddon said. "However, locally, higher totals are possible, especially for the eastern shore."

Winds will ramp up Monday afternoon and evening, with widespread gusts in the 70 to 100 km/h range, strongest along the coasts.

Winds are expected to ease late this evening and overnight as they shift to southwest, then northwest into Tuesday, ushering in colder temperatures, Snoddon said.

Tina Simpkin/CBC
Tina Simpkin/CBC

Freezing rain, whiteout conditions in Saint John area

By Monday afternoon, winds were whipping up and snow was falling in the Saint John area, making for poor visibility and near-whiteout conditions on Highway 1 in and around Saint John.

Some areas were seeing freezing rain by mid-afternoon, including the uptown and south end of Saint John, and warnings were issued about road conditions.

"Due to fluctuating weather conditions, roadways may become icy and slippery during the evening commute," the City of Saint John said in a news release Monday afternoon.

It noted that Public Works crews are monitoring the conditions and will clear roadways as the weather changes throughout the day and into the evening.

"The City is reminding motorists to slow their speed, allow extra travel time and keep a safe distance between vehicles on their way home this evening."

The Grand Manan ferry service was cancelled at noon due to the weather.

Earlier Monday, Environment Canada also issued wind warnings for the coastal sections of Kent, Westmorland, Albert counties, and Fundy region, including Grand Manan Island.

Gusts of up to 90 km/h are expected Monday in those areas, starting in the afternoon and continuing into the evening.

"High winds may toss loose objects or cause tree branches to break," the warning said.

Winds are expected to subside overnight.

Tuesday could bring light snow in the afternoon and evening.