Weather Alerts of Heavy Snowfall, Freezing Rain Issued for Regions From Coast to Coast

A person makes their way through the Glebe neighbourhood of Ottawa, on Dec. 24, 2022. Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press

Environment Canada has issued alerts for parts of the country on the west and east coasts and some northern regions, forecasting a mix of winter storm and freezing rain on Jan. 13.

In British Columbia, a front will bring snowfall of up to 10 centimetres to the Williston region and Pine Pass, with added risks of freezing rain.

“Be prepared to adjust your driving with changing road conditions. Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow. Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become difficult to navigate due to accumulating snow,” the federal weather agency said, adding snowfall may cease Friday afternoon.

Heavy rainfall is expected in Howe Sound and Sea to Sky Highway near Whistler, where rainfall would amount to 25 to 40 millimetres.

In Eastern Canada, many regions are experiencing a winter storm and snowfall due to a separate system from the United States.

Most of Quebec is under a winter storm warning, with snowfall amounts of 25 to 40 centimetres expected by the morning of Jan. 14. At times, snow could be mixed with freezing rain in some areas.

Extreme cold alerts have been issued for northern regions like Chibougamau and Waskaganish, where wind chill values near minus 38 degrees are expected from the evening of Jan. 13 to early morning Jan. 14.

A mix of precipitation over the weekend is forecast for Atlantic Canada.

New Brunswick can expect a mix of weather conditions, with snow, freezing rain, and ice pellets in the forecast overnight Friday into Saturday.

“Consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve. Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become difficult to navigate due to accumulating snow,” some alerts for the province said.

A mix of precipitation is also forecast for most of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Special weather alerts have been issued for the Avalon Peninsula, where there will be prolonged, heavy rainfall. Frozen ground will also reduce ability to absorb the rain, Environment Canada warns. In Avalon Peninsula Southeast and Southwest, rain will continue through the weekend to Jan. 16, with total rainfall potentially exceeding 50 millimetres.

Some inland areas in the province are expecting snowfall of between 10 to 20 centimetres.

In Nova Scotia, several regions will encounter heavy rainfall. Total rainfall in Annapolis County could reach between 40 to 80 millimetres.

P.E.I. will see a mix of freezing rain, snow, and ice pellets over the weekend.

Ontario and the Prairie regions are not under weather warnings as of Jan. 13 evening.