Wintry weather causes fender benders, cancels ferries
P.E.I. saw its first serious snow of the season Monday.
Environment Canada had issued a special weather statement for the afternoon, but removed it by evening.
Snow began Monday morning and turned to rain starting in the afternoon in eastern P.E.I., with the line of rain heading west.
CBC meteorologist Jay Scotland says rain will taper off overnight, possibly transitioning to wet snow showers on Tuesday.
He said there will be periods of rain Monday evening with an additional 10-20 millimetres possible.
"Steady rain will ease to lighter showers overnight and, as cold northwest winds, with 30-50 km/h gusts, usher cooler air into the region, lingering showers will transition to wet snow showers Tuesday morning. Flurries will persist over eastern areas through much of the afternoon."
He said ice patches will be possible as temperatures fall below freezing Tuesday.
RCMP Sgt. Craig Eveleigh said he'd already seen an increase in collisions due to the weather conditions by the afternoon.
"We've had several around Queens District this morning that we've attended to. No significant injuries, just damage to the vehicles," he said.
"I think just people get caught off guard, they put off getting their snow tires or whatever put on and they don't realize that they do have to drive slower specially when the roads get a little greasy."
Eveleigh recommends drivers to make sure they have the proper tires on, and slow down.
"You have to give yourself a little bit more time to stop for that car in front of you or for that stop sign that's approaching," he said. "So just be aware, slower speeds and make sure you're giving yourself enough time and distance to stop."
The day also saw some gusty winds which ranged between 30 and 50 km/h.
Due to the windy conditions, Northumberland Ferries cancelled all afternoon sailings between P.E.I. and Nova Scotia. Confederation Bridge is advising traffic restrictions could be put in place starting early Tuesday morning and be in effect for much of the day.
Winter parking restrictions are in effect in Charlottetown. People are no longer allowed to park on city streets from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. and may face a ticket or towing if they do.
Residents can subscribe to the city's alert system to receive notifications of the city's de-icing or plowing efforts, a release said, The ban remains in effect until mid-April.
