Nearly every province and territory in Canada is subject to weather advisories heading into the weekend.
Environment Canada issued advisories for areas of Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Quebec and Ontario. Warnings are also in place in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, B.C. and all three territories.
The only areas not currently under a weather watch, warning or statement are New Brunswick and P.E.I.
Individual warnings are in place for dozens of communities, and with forecasters warning of extreme cold, blizzards, snow squalls, potentially damaging wind and heavy rain.
A forecast from The Weather Network earlier this year warned that after the warmest winter on record (2023-24), the season would be trying to “salvage its reputation” in 2024-25.
Forecasters with the network called for bitter cold across the country, and ice in the west. The seasonal sketch suggested snow well into March, with a late start to spring conditions.
East Coast
“Most of Newfoundland” is under a special weather statement, Environment Canada advised Friday, with forecasters expecting “significant snowfall, rainfall, and strong winds” over the weekend.
The snow isn’t expected to start until Sunday, and the wintry conditions will stick around through Monday morning, weather statements for 19 areas including St. John’s say.
New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island are not under any advisories as of 7:30 a.m. local time, but some Nova Scotia residents are advised that a “significant winter storm” is expected. Snow and wind are expected to be worst in the Cape Breton area, especially over the Highlands and western regions.
Quebec
Seven sections of Quebec are under weather statements Friday morning, including up north in Ivujivik and along James Bay, where blizzard conditions are possible.
Environment Canada meteorologists are warning of heavy snow until midday Saturday, and strong wind gusts due to a “large, intense weather system.”
The storm hitting Newfoundland and Labrador on Sunday prompted advisories in bordering areas of Quebec as well.
Many of the advisories and warnings issued Thursday have been called off, including those just north of Quebec city.
Ontario
Swathes of southwestern and northern Ontario are warned of worse-than-usual wintry conditions, with a total of 29 advisories issued as of 7 a.m. local time.
Snow squall warnings and watches have been issued for areas including: Barrie, Bruce Peninsula, Goderich, Guelph, Hanover, Innisfil, Kitchener, Lindsay, Listowel, London, Newmarket, Orillia, Peterborough and Wingham. Read all 29 here.
Some spots will see as much as 60 centimetres of snow by Saturday evening, the warnings suggest.
Blowing snow is possible further north in areas including Moosonee and Webequie.
This article is developing and will be updated.
The full list of advisories is available on Environment Canada’s website.
