This weekend, Canadians across the country are bracing for a serious cold snap that will unleash a potent mix of heavy snow, fierce winds, and dangerously low temperatures. Here’s your complete guide to the severe weather alerts in effect!

Newfoundland and Labrador: A Winter Wonderland Turned Hazardous

In Newfoundland and Labrador, severe weather warnings are casting a shadow over the weekend. The southeastern tip of Labrador is under a winter storm watch, expecting snow accumulation exceeding 30 centimeters combined with winds gusting up to 110 km/h along the coast. Make sure to stay indoors as conditions will worsen from Sunday evening to Monday afternoon.

On the island of Newfoundland, overlapping warnings warn of 20 to 30 centimeters of snow in the north and winds nearing 120 km/h in the southeastern regions. Be vigilant: rainfall warnings are also in effect, with potential precipitation of 30 to 50 millimeters anticipated. Coastal areas face flooding risks due to oversized waves and high tides—plan your weekend activities wisely!

The Maritimes: Snow and Wind Set to Create Travel Chaos

Residents in northern Nova Scotia can expect 20 to 30 centimeters of snow with winds reaching 100 km/h as a winter storm warning blankets Inverness County. Meanwhile, parts of Cape Breton and northern Nova Scotia will see lighter snowfall amounts but challenging gusts of 70–90 km/h.

Prince Edward Island isn’t spared either, anticipating similar weather conditions. The Magdalen Islands will experience 15 to 20 centimeters of snow combined with strong winds. Motorists across these regions should prepare for treacherous conditions; visibility will be severely impaired, and you might experience travel delays.

Quebec: A Blizzard’s Fury in the North

Quebec's east coast isn’t safe either, with wind warnings in place for gusts of 90 - 100 km/h near the Labrador border. The north of the province, especially Kangiqsujuaq, faces a perilous blizzard that could lead to near-zero visibility and transportation nightmares.

Higher snowfall accumulations of 20 to 30 centimeters and fresh gusts of up to 70 km/h are also expected along the coast of James Bay. So if you plan to travel, consider postponing your trip until conditions improve.

Ontario: Snow Squalls Create a Wintry Mix

While southern Ontario is mostly under snow squall alerts, with 15 to 40 centimeters of snow anticipated, the Kitchener-Waterloo area is on watch for severe weather. Heavy snowfall and blinding squalls may persist through Sunday, making travel treacherous across various routes. High winds will contribute to poor visibility, endangering drivers.

Prairie Provinces: Bitter Cold Grips Manitoba and Saskatchewan

An extreme cold warning envelops Manitoba, forecasting wind chills plunging as low as -45°C in the north and -40°C in the south. Similarly, Saskatchewan is under extreme cold warnings with comparable chilling conditions. If you’re in these areas, ensure you’re bundled up before stepping outside!

Alberta and British Columbia: Snowy Conditions Mixed with Cold

Alberta's central-east border will witness fierce wind chills near -40°C, while southern areas like Lethbridge are gearing up for a snowfall of 10 to 15 centimeters. In British Columbia, Fort St. John is not left out, with wind chills expected to hover around -40°C.

The Territories: An Arctic Blast

The northern regions are battling extreme cold with forecasts of wind chills nearing -50°C in parts of Yukon, Nunavut, and Northwest Territories. Residents should exercise extreme caution as frostbite can set in within minutes and travel conditions are perilous.

Stay Safe and Updated!

Canada is expecting a wild weekend of weather, with conditions sure to shift rapidly. Stay tuned for updates and keep safety paramount. Whether you’re enjoying a cozy night in or hitting the road, know when to take precautions and keep an eye on local forecasts. Stay warm and safe, Canada!