Update on Nor’easter heading for Maritimes Sunday into Monday

A pedestrian crosses the road as high winds and heavy snow blanket Halifax, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese

A powerful Nor’easter will move from the coastline of the Carolinas towards Sable Island Sunday into Monday. The storm looks highly likely to impact Nova Scotia and eastern Prince Edward Island with heavy snow. High winds for Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and the Bay of Fundy coastline of New Brunswick.

Storm timing

Snow is forecast to develop across Nova Scotia between noon and 6 p.m. on Sunday starting on the South Shore. Snow will reach southern areas of New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island Sunday evening and night, with a chance of flurries in northern New Brunswick.

Weather conditions will deteriorate in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island Sunday evening as snow rates increase and the wind becomes stronger. The snow continues into Monday morning for most of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

Areas of lighter snow and flurries are expected Monday afternoon through evening except a risk of snow squalls for the North Shore of mainland Nova Scotia and Inverness/Victoria Counties – Cape Breton.

The strongest winds will be from the north and northeast Sunday evening through Monday morning. Peak gusts of 70 to 90 km/h for Nova Scotia and 60 to 80 km/h for Prince Edward Island and the Bay of Fundy coastline of New Brunswick. The strong winds creating extensive blowing snow and an increased risk of power outages.

The wind becomes north and northwest Monday afternoon with peak gusts of 40 to 70 km/h. The cold northwest wind creating the risk of snow squalls for the North Shore of mainland Nova Scotia and Inverness/Victoria Counties – Cape Breton.

Snow amounts

Higher confidence today that Nova Scotia is going to see some of the higher snow amounts produced by this Nor’easter.

I have a potential 30-to-45 cm starting on the South Shore of Nova Scotia, running up through Halifax County, and then across much of the east of the province. Much of the rest of Nova Scotia and Kings County - Prince Edward Island with a potential 15-to-30 cm of snow. For Charlottetown and Queens County, my expectation is something close to 15 cm. Snow totals lower for western Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick.

The nature of the snow will be somewhere in between our last two snowfalls. Neither complete powder or very heavy and wet. The higher winds with the snow will create extensive drifts, a blown nearly clear on one side of the street while piled deep on the other type of snowfall.

Make sure you have easy access to snow blowers and snow shovels. Check to make sure house vents are clear of the previous snowfalls. If you end up having to clear a lot of snow, it is always best to take an easy pace and breaks as needed.

The heavy snow and high wind will make for very adverse travel conditions on the roads of Nova Scotia and parts of Prince Edward Island Sunday evening through Monday morning. Travel could even be tricky Monday afternoon depending on plowing operations and how much drifting snow persists. If you are travelling by vehicle in inclement conditions, be sure you have what you need in the event of an accident and needing to wait for assistance.

Weather alerts

A Special Weather Statement for the province of Nova Scotia was updated by Environment Canada at 4 p.m. on Friday. The statement calls for 15-to-35 cm of snow for Nova Scotia with the heaviest snow on the Atlantic coastline and eastern parts of the province. The snow accompanied by gusts of 60-to-80 km/h creating blowing and drifting snow. A risk of higher-than-normal water levels on the Atlantic coastline during high tide on Monday.

A Special Weather Statement was issued for Kings and Queens Counties – Prince Edward Island at 4 p.m. on Friday. The statement calls for a potential snowfall of 10-to-20 cm, except possibly higher for the easternmost communities of Kings County. The snow accompanied by peak gusts of 60-to-80 km/h.