A mix of wintry weather is in the forecast across Canada, prompting warnings in more than half the provinces and two of three territories. Environment and Climate Change Canada warned about weather conditions in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Quebec Monday morning. Weather warnings are also in effect in Alberta, British Columbia, Yukon and Northwest Territories. Many of these alerts were first issued over the weekend, and residents have dealt with days of heavy rain, blowing snow, damaging wind gusts or bitter cold. On the East Coast, warnings for most of Newfoundland and the coastline of Labrador include that some residents should expect “blizzard-like conditions,” and snowfall of 40 centimetres of snow or more is possible in the areas expected to be hardest-hit. Northern portions of Newfoundland are under orange winter storm or wind warnings. There was also a coastal flooding statement issued early Monday advising that storm surge and large waves are expected along the east and northeast coastlines, according to forecasters. Northeastern Nova Scotia was covered in winter storm warnings and special weather statements, and between five and 40 centimetres of snow is expected, depending on location. One area of P.E.I. is also under a yellow winter storm warning expected by forecasters to be in effect until Monday evening. The forecast for a portion of Quebec along James Bay warns of blowing snow and potentially damaging winds. Heading west, swathes of Alberta are under warnings that range from freezing rain to snowfall and wind. Areas warned about heavy snow may see as much as 30 centimetres by the time the final round is over, Environment Canada says. Parts of the West Coast already dealing with flooding can expect more rainfall, according to warnings issued in B.C. Rainfall warnings are also in effect for parts of Vancouver Island and elsewhere. Further north, heavy snow is expected in areas near the Rockies and Yukon. Residents of parts of Yukon including Whitehorse are expected to face the same heavy snow, as other areas deal with extreme cold. A “multi-day episode” of brutal wind chills means at times these values have been as low as -50 or -55, and it’s expected to remain that cold through the week, meteorologists say. And one section of the Northwest Territories is under a weather warning on Monday morning, which advises of blizzard conditions expected to end Monday night in the Tuktoyaktuk-East Channel region. No alerts were issued in New Brunswick, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan or Nunavut as of 7:45 a.m. EST.
