HALIFAX - Schools and municipal offices were closed and flights were being cancelled on Wednesday in parts of Atlantic Canada as a powerful spring blizzard headed toward the region, threatening to bring strong winds and heavy snowfall.
Significant snow is forecasted for all four provinces, but Nova Scotia and P.E.I. are expected to see the biggest accumulation with up to 40 to 50 centimetres predicted for the two provinces. Halifax is under a blizzard warning and a storm surge warning.
A webcam from Halifax's famed Pier 21 showed stormy conditions in the city's harbour.
While New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador are expected to get less snow, the entire region has been warned about potentially damaging winds in excess of 100 kilometres per hour that could cause widespread whiteout conditions.
Saint John, Fredricton and Moncton could have 'near-zero visibility,' Environment Canada warned, while Moncton also faces potentially dangerous storm surges.
All of Newfoundland was under a weather warning, although St. John's was likely to escape the worst of the snow. In western Newfoundland, where strong winds are common, Environment Canada says gusts could peak at 160 km/h and even higher in the notorious Wreckhouse area. As its name suggests, that area is known for its extremely high winds, and the weather agency it could face gusts up to 180 km/h.
The entirety of Prince Edward Island was also under a blizzard warning.
Here's the coastline in Dayspring. Wind seems to be picking up. Fingers are so cold the iPhone doesn't register them http://t.co/u4y5OURpc3- Beverley Ware (@CH_Warewithall) March 26, 2014
In Nova Scotia, some government services and offices have been closed as a precautionary measure.
Schools were closed in parts of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick.
Severe weather expected Mar 25/26 - @ aircanada kindly waiving change fees. Details, Flight Status and rebook online: aircan.ca/1ro1ceg- Fredericton Airport (@yfcairport) March 24, 2014
Halifax's Stanfield International Airport listed the vast majority of flights - both arrivals and departures - as cancelled on Wednesday morning, and urged travellers to check with their airlines.
The Fredericton airport also had numerous cancellations and delays.
Environment Canada forecaster Tracey Talbot says residents along Nova Scotia's coastline should stay away from the water and prepare for potentially damaging storm surges.
'With the storm surge we're expecting, we could see some flooding and some local infrastructure damage,' Talbot said Tuesday.
Nova Scotia Premier Stephen MacNeil is encouraging residents to help each other.
'Look after your neighbours,' he said late Tuesday. 'If there are people in your community ... that are living alone or are elderly or needing some support, make sure you keep in touch with them to ensure that everyone weathers the storm.'
Winter storm guidelines/updates are on the @ nsemo website: novascotia.ca/just/EMO/ and on Twitter: @ nsemo. Please stay safe and take care.- Stephen McNeil (@StephenMcNeil) March 25, 2014
Lena Diab, the minister responsible for Nova Scotia's Emergency Management Office, said residents should have an emergency kit with a flashlight, crank radio, water, first-aid kit and food that will not spoil.
Prince Edward Island's Office of Public Safety is advising Islanders to prepare for the possibility of power disruptions.
Post By http://news.nationalpost.com/2014/03/26/powerful-spring-blizzard-hitting-maritimes-could-bring-up-to-50-cm-of-snow-whiteouts-and-storm-surges/
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