Snowy scene: Late spring snowfall covers ground in Cape Breton

Cape Bretoners got a taste of winter during the spring as snow covered the ground Friday.

Snow is adding up on the ground in Cape Breton Friday – a rare occurrence for a May 29, but one that has happened before.

The standing record for snowfall in Sydney for a May 29 is from 1941 when 7 cm fell. A snowfall of 10 cm was recorded in the Grand Etang and Cheticamp areas on May 29, 1974.

As of 11 a.m. Friday morning, three cm was reported at the Sydney Airport with snow continuing to fall. Cape Breton will continue to see a mix of wet snow and rain through the day Friday. Given the wet nature of the snow, additional accumulation will be highly varied across the island.

CTV Atlantic chief meteorologist Kalin Mitchell says he can’t rule out that the Sydney Airport could challenge that record of 7 cm. Adding more snow accumulation is also likely in the Cape Breton Highlands.

Viewer pictures of the snow have started to come in. If you have a snowy scene in your area of Cape Breton send a report and picture to [e-mail].

The snow is a result of colder air sitting in a deep trough in the jet stream centred over the Maritimes, part of a blocking weather pattern over North America that has simultaneously led to record breaking heat developing in western parts of Canada. You can find more on that pattern and when it will change here.