Double-whammy of rain and snow
Environment and Climate Change Canada weather service forecasts Friday’s heavy rain will shift to snow at night into Saturday, making for driving conditions “difficult to navigate”
Parts of New Brunswick, including the Fredericton region, remain under a rainfall warning Friday, but the federal weather service has also issued an advisory warning about heavy, wet snow.
A rainfall warning issued Wednesday for central and southern New Brunswick is still in effect early Friday, but Environment and Climate Change Canada’s weather service also issued a special weather statement Friday morning putting people on notice about incoming snow as well.
“Rain transitions to heavy, wet snow tonight,” warned the statement, last issued shortly before 8 a.m. Friday.
“Total snowfall: five to 10 centimetres, possibly reaching 15 cm over higher terrain.”
The special weather statement covers western to central New Brunswick, including the capital region.
The heavy snow is forecast to begin Friday night and continue until Saturday afternoon, it said.
“Rain will begin to mix with snow this evening then changeover to wet, heavy snow overnight tonight. Snow will diminish by Saturday afternoon,” the special weather statement said.
“Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become difficult to navigate. Motorists should be prepared for winter driving conditions.”
The incoming snowfall is likely to exacerbate challenging road conditions, as the ongoing rain event has flooded some roads in the area.
For updates on road conditions anywhere in the province, people can visit the New Brunswick government’s 511 website for updates.
The Fredericton Independent can be reached at ftonindependent@gmail.com.