Freezing rain warning issued in New Brunswick; rainy, windy weather expected Thursday

Maritime weather forecast for Dec. 10 Chief meteorologist Kalin Mitchell shares the Maritime weather forecast for Dec. 10

A developing storm will move into Quebec late Wednesday into Thursday, bringing rain and strong southerly winds to the Maritimes.

Colder temperatures in the north of New Brunswick will create a risk of freezing rain Wednesday night through Thursday morning.

Freezing rain warning

Patchy freezing rain has lingered in northern areas of Nova Scotia into Tuesday evening accompanied by Freezing Rain Warnings. Temperatures are expected to rise above zero for that area Tuesday night, turning the freezing rain over to patchy drizzle and fog.

A Freezing Rain Warning has been issued for much of the province of New Brunswick. There is a risk of light freezing rain and ice pellets for that part of the Maritimes overnight into Wednesday morning.

The icy mix could make highways, roads, walkways, and parking lots slippery. The freezing rain should end by Wednesday afternoon, when temperatures are expected to rise above the freezing mark.

Rain will continue for New Brunswick Wednesday afternoon and night, and for Thursday morning. Rain totals in western parts of the province could total 25 to 40-plus mm and some Rainfall Warnings have been issued. The remainder of New Brunswick is under a Special Weather Statement with rain totals that could still approach 25 mm. Snow melt and frozen ground will add to the water runoff.

High wind Thursday morning

The Maritimes will be squeezed between the storm in Quebec and high pressure over the North Atlantic on Thursday. The pressure difference between the two systems will drive a high, southerly wind.

Wind gusts for much of the Maritimes are expected to reach between 60 and 80 km/h Thursday morning. Coastal areas and higher terrain could experience gusts of 80-to-100 km/h.

Stronger wind gusts will start Thursday morning around 2 a.m. for the Bay of Fundy coast in New Brunswick and the southwestern Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia.

Gusts ranging from 80-to-100 km/h are expected to develop later for the remainder of coastal Nova Scotia, the eastern coastline of New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island through Thursday morning.

Northern Inverness County in Cape Breton can expect peak gusts of 130 km/h or higher Thursday morning into the afternoon due to the topography of the Cape Breton Highlands.

Wind gusts will diminish to a range of 50-to-70 km/h and change to a westerly direction Thursday afternoon.

Some initial Wind Warnings have been issued for the Bay of Fundy coastline and Grand Manan in New Brunswick as well as the Acadian Peninsula.

Travel service disruptions

High winds could disrupt ferry services in the region. Marine Atlantic said they expect schedule changes for crossings between North Sydney and Port aux Basques Wednesday night and Thursday.

I would advise checking for delays with other ferry services in the region Thursday morning. Similar winds in the past have also triggered traffic restrictions on major bridges in the region.

There a lot of fantastic holiday decorations in the region. You may wish to secure any that could be blown or damaged before Thursday morning.