The Polar Vortex Arrives Update One

10:13 PM AST Friday 03 February 2023

Snow squall watch in effect for:

Yarmouth County

Snow squalls are expected to develop. Under the snow squall bands, visibilities will be significantly reduced due to the heavy snow combined with blowing snow, and snow will quickly accumulate.

Total snowfall: locally 10 to 20 cm in snow squalls.

Maximum wind gusts: 70 km/h.

Locations: western Nova Scotia and Annapolis Valley.

Time span: tonight and Saturday.

Remarks: Flurries will become more frequent tonight. There is a risk of isolated snow squalls as cold northwesterly winds strengthen. Very strong northwest winds may give occasional whiteout conditions over exposed areas.

Snow squalls cause weather conditions to vary considerably; changes from clear skies to heavy snow within just a few kilometres are common. Visibility may be significantly and suddenly reduced to near zero.

Snow squall watches are issued when conditions are favourable for the formation of bands of snow that could produce intense accumulating snow or near zero visibilities.

Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to NSstorm@ec.gc.ca or tweet reports using #NSStorm.

10:08 PM AST Friday 03 February 2023

Snow squall watch in effect for:

Kings County P.E.I.

Snow squalls are expected to develop. Under the snow squall bands, visibilities will be significantly reduced due to the heavy snow combined with blowing snow, and snow will quickly accumulate.

Total snowfall: locally 15 cm in snow squalls.

Maximum wind gusts: 70 to 90 km/h.

Locations: Kings County, Prince Edward Island.

Time span: tonight and Saturday.

Remarks: Flurries will become more frequent tonight. There is a risk of snow squall activity developing as cold westerly to northwesterly winds strengthen. Very strong northwest winds will give occasional whiteout conditions over exposed areas.

Snow squalls cause weather conditions to vary considerably; changes from clear skies to heavy snow within just a few kilometres are common. Visibility may be significantly and suddenly reduced to near zero.

Snow squall watches are issued when conditions are favourable for the formation of bands of snow that could produce intense accumulating snow or near zero visibilities.

Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to PEstorm@ec.gc.ca or tweet reports using #PEStorm.

9:59 PM AST Friday 03 February 2023

Blizzard warning in effect for:

Acadian Peninsula

Blizzard conditions with gusty winds and visibility frequently near zero in blowing snow are expected or occurring.

Maximum wind gusts: Northwesterly 90 km/h.

Locations: Acadian Peninsula.

Time span: until Sunday morning.

Remarks: Strong Northwesterly winds are combining with fresh snow to create poor visibilities in blowing snow especially along exposed coastal areas. Winds will begin to ease Sunday morning.

Travel is expected to be extremely hazardous due to reduced visibility.

Blizzard warnings are issued when widespread reduced visibilities of 400 metres or less are expected for at least 4 hours.

Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to NBstorm@ec.gc.ca or tweet reports using #NBStorm.