Mid-February Maritimes Winter Storm Update Three

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CARIBOU ME
353 AM EST SUN FEB 17 2013

MEZ002-005-006-011-015-171700-
/O.UPG.KCAR.WW.Y.0009.000000T0000Z-130218T0900Z/
/O.NEW.KCAR.BZ.W.0002.130217T1800Z-130218T2100Z/
NORTHEAST AROOSTOOK-NORTHERN PENOBSCOT-SOUTHEAST AROOSTOOK-
CENTRAL PENOBSCOT-SOUTHERN PENOBSCOT-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...PRESQUE ISLE...CARIBOU...VAN BUREN...
MARS HILL...MILLINOCKET...EAST MILLINOCKET...PATTEN...MEDWAY...
HOULTON...HODGDON...SHERMAN...SMYRNA MILLS...LINCOLN...HOWLAND...
SPRINGFIELD...BANGOR...BREWER...ORONO...OLD TOWN
353 AM EST SUN FEB 17 2013

...BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 4 PM
EST MONDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN CARIBOU HAS ISSUED A BLIZZARD
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 4 PM EST
MONDAY. THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.

* LOCATIONS...NORTHEAST...EAST CENTRAL AND WESTERN INTERIOR
  DOWNEAST MAINE.

* PRECIPITATION TYPE...SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW.

* ACCUMULATIONS...4 TO 8 INCHES OF SNOW.

* TIMING...THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT.

* WINDS...NORTHWEST 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 45 MPH.

* VISIBILITIES...ONE QUARTER MILE OR LESS AT TIMES.

* TEMPERATURES...12 TO 22 ABOVE.

* IMPACTS...SNOW AND STRONG WINDS DEVELOPING ON SUNDAY WILL CREATE
  HAZARDOUS TRAVELING CONDITIONS. BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW WILL
  CAUSE NEAR WHITEOUT CONDITIONS AT TIMES.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR YOUR FAVORITE SOURCE OF
WEATHER INFORMATION FOR THE LATEST UPDATES. ADDITIONAL DETAILS
CAN ALSO BE FOUND AT WWW.WEATHER.GOV/CAR.

TRAVEL IS NOT RECOMMENDED BUT IF YOU MUST TRAVEL, PLAN EXTRA TIME
TO REACH YOUR DESTINATION. BE SURE YOUR VEHICLE HAS A FULL TANK
OF GAS AND CONTAINS A WINTER SURVIVAL KIT. IF YOU GET STRANDED,
STAY WITH YOUR VEHICLE. STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR YOUR
FAVORITE SOURCE OF WEATHER INFORMATION FOR THE LATEST UPDATES.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS CAN ALSO BE FOUND AT WWW.WEATHER.GOV/CAR.

&&

$$

Woodstock and Carleton County
10:45 AM AST Sunday 17 February 2013
Winter storm warning for
Woodstock and Carleton County continued

Total snowfall amounts of 20 to 40 centimetres combined with very strong northwest winds will give near-zero visibilities in blowing snow late this afternoon through Monday morning.

This is a warning that dangerous winter weather conditions are expected in these regions. Monitor weather conditions..listen for updated statements.

A rapidly intensifying low pressure system will approach the Maritimes from the southwest today and will cross Nova Scotia this evening. The low will then move slowly northeastward to lie over the Gulf of St Lawrence Monday morning then move into Newfoundland Monday evening.

Snow flurries drizzle and freezing drizzle will intensify into heavy snow this afternoon. Over extreme southeastern parts of the province the snow will likely mix with or change to rain for a period of time. Precipitation will change back to snow at times heavy over these areas this evening. Snow will taper to flurries over the entire province by Monday morning.

In addition..Very strong north to northwest winds will develop later today and tonight and persist for much of the day on Monday giving near-zero visibilities in blowing snow. Wind gusts as high as 90 km/h will occur locally.

At this time the highest snowfall amounts are expected over northeastern parts of the province where amounts of 25 to 45 centimetres are possible by Monday morning. Central and western areas will likely receive a total of 20 to 30 centimetres. Note that with these very intense systems even a slight change in the storm's track can significantly affect rain/snow boundaries as well as the amount of precipitation received.

Also this evening ice pressure from strong northerly winds and higher than normal water levels may cause ice to push in and raft along the north facing shorelines of the gulf coast of New Brunswick south of Escuminac.
Queens County P.E.I.
10:53 AM AST Sunday 17 February 2013
Winter storm warning for
Queens County P.E.I. continued

Snowfall amounts of 15 to 25 centimetres combined with strong winds giving near-zero visibilities in blowing snow.

This is a warning that dangerous winter weather conditions are expected or occurring in these regions. Monitor weather conditions..listen for updated statements.

A rapidly intensifying low pressure system currently south of the Maritimes will cross Nova Scotia this evening. The low will then move slowly northeastward to lie over the Gulf of St Lawrence Monday morning before moving into Newfoundland Monday evening.

Flurries mixed with freezing rain will change over to rain near noon today before changing back over to snow tonight. Snow..Heavy at times..Possibly mixed with ice pellets or freezing rain beginning this evening. Elsewhere, rain will change over to snow near midnight tonight with the heaviest snow falling Monday morning.

Rainfall amounts up to 20 millimetres is expected by this evening. Rain will change back to snow tonight with an additional 15 to 25 centimetres of snow expected by Monday afternoon along with strong west to northwest winds and blowing snow giving periods of near-zero visibilities.

Also this evening ice pressure form strong northerly winds and higher than normal water levels may cause ice to push in and raft along the North Coast of the island.

Yarmouth County
10:58 AM AST Sunday 17 February 2013
Blizzard warning for
Yarmouth County continued

Persons in or near this area should be on the lookout for adverse weather conditions and take necessary safety precautions. Watch for updated statements.

Please refer to the latest public forecasts for further details and continue to monitor the situation through your local radio and television stations or Weatheradio.