Weather alerts in the Maritimes have expanded ahead of a messy mix of snow, freezing rain and ice pellets. Nova Scotia Orange freezing rain warnings are now in effect for Cumberland County, parts of Colchester County and Pictou County in Nova Scotia. Environment Canada says a significant buildup of ice due to freezing rain is expected. Precipitation will begin overnight Tuesday and continue into Wednesday morning. “Freezing rain may mix with ice pellets or wet snow at times. Precipitation amounts are forecast to range from 10 mm to near 25 mm in some areas,” the warning says. “This orange level warning may be expanded to adjacent counties as the event draws nearer.” Yellow snowfall warnings are now in place for parts of Inverness County and Victoria County in Cape Breton where up to 25 cm is expected. The warning says heavy snowfall will develop overnight Tuesday and ice pellets may mix in at times. Parts of central and eastern mainland Nova Scotia and Cape Breton remain under special weather statements. “Forecast guidance indicates widespread wintry precipitation will likely affect parts of Nova Scotia tonight before tapering off Wednesday afternoon. The potential exists for significant amounts of both ice pellets and freezing rain,” the statement reads. “Even small amounts of freezing rain on untreated surfaces can make travel difficult. Utility outages may occur.” New Brunswick Yellow freezing rain warnings are now in place for most of southern New Brunswick. Environment Canada says precipitation is expected to fall as freezing rain before mixing with ice pellets or wet snow at times. “Precipitation amounts are forecast to range from 5 to 15 mm. This warning may be expanded to some adjacent counties to the south as the event draws nearer,” the warnings says. Special weather statements remain in place for the rest of the province. Ten to 15 cm of snow is expected over northern areas, while central areas will see precipitation fall as a mix of snow and ice pellets. Southwestern New Brunswick will see periods of rain at times mixed with freezing rain. Prince Edward Island Special weather statements also remain in place for all of P.E.I. A variety of wintry precipitation is expected to affect much of the Island Tuesday night before tapering off Wednesday afternoon. “The potential exists for significant amounts of ice pellets, and a risk of freezing rain in addition to heavy snow in some areas. Up to 2 cm of ice pellet accumulation is possible. Snowfall could reach near 10 cm in northern Prince County,” the statement reads. CTV Atlantic meteorologist Kalin Mitchell says April snow is common in the Maritimes. Fredericton averages 16.7 cm, Halifax averages 16.6 cm (at the airport) and Charlottetown averages 21.4 cm.
