Freezing rain, rainfall warnings issued in New Brunswick ahead of winter storm

Brianne Foley shares your Atlantic Canadian weather forecast.

A series of warnings has been issued in New Brunswick ahead of a rainy, windy storm.

Freezing rain warnings are in place for northeastern parts of the province. Environment Canada says it will begin to fall late Wednesday evening and end by early Thursday morning.

“Precipitation will start as snow this afternoon then change to freezing rain late this evening and then to rain early Thursday morning,” the warning reads.

“Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots will become icy, slippery and hazardous. Utility outages may occur.”

Rainfall warnings are also in place for southwestern parts of New Brunswick, where heavy rain and mild temperatures are expected.

Up to 40 mm of rain could fall in the region by Thursday evening.

“In addition to the 20 to 40 mm of rainfall expected by 6 p.m. Thursday, significant additional rainfall amounts are likely Thursday night,” says Environment Canada.

“Heavy downpours can cause flash floods and water pooling on roads. Localized flooding in low-lying areas is possible.”

CTV Atlantic meteorologist Kalin Mitchell says the centre of a late winter storm will be nearing New Brunswick by early Friday morning.

High winds are also expected to develop with the storm.

Mitchell says the strongest winds are forecast to diminish in New Brunswick and western Nova Scotia by Thursday evening.

They will then diminish for the remainder of the Maritimes Thursday night into Friday morning.