Freezing rain warnings in effect for N.B., parts of P.E.I.

Icicles hang on a tree branch following an accumulation of freezing rain on Wednesday, April 5, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Freezing rain warnings are in effect for much of the Maritimes.

The system is part of an ice storm which left hundreds of thousands of Ontarians without power this weekend. As the system moves east, Environment and Climate Change Canada has extended warnings to the Maritimes.

New Brunswick

A freezing rain warning is in effect for the entirety of New Brunswick.

Precipitation will begin as snow Sunday night before changing to ice pellets and then freezing rain by Monday morning.

The weather agency said a warm front will sweep across the region Monday.

The freezing rain will transition to rain later Monday morning for southern New Brunswick. That transition will occur later in the afternoon for the northern half of the province.

The total amount of freezing rain is expected to be five to 10 mm, with less along the Fundy coast. The freezing rain could last between four and eight hours.

Environment Canada said ice build-up may cause tree branches to break and utility outages may occur.

Surfaces, such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots, may become icy and slippery.

Prince Edward Island

The freezing rain warning for P.E.I. is in effect for Prince County.

Much like New Brunswick, snow will begin Sunday night before changing to ice pellets and freezing rain Monday morning. The freezing rain will then transition to rain late Monday morning.

Environment Canada said similar storms in the past have caused:

• cancellations of scheduled activities
• disruptions to transportation networks
• damage to trees and localized utility outages

Freezing rain could last up to four hours with about five mm expected.

The weather agency said freezing rain warnings are issued when rain falling in sub-zero temperatures creates ice build-up and icy surfaces.

Nova Scotia

As of Sunday morning, no freezing rain warnings were in effect for Nova Scotia.

However, freezing rain is expected to begin Sunday night and last into Monday morning.

The only alert issued as of Sunday morning is a wind warning for Inverness County, from Margaree Harbour to Bay St. Lawrence.

Environment Canada said maximum wind gusts of up to 90 km/h from the southeast are expected Monday afternoon until late Monday evening.

Damage to buildings may occur.