Cold Rain, Wet Snow on Tap for Atlantic Canada

By Brian Edwards, Meteorologist

Apr 8, 2012; 3:35 PM ET

A storm taking aim on Atlantic Canada will produce locally heavy rain and up to 20 cm of snow through Easter Sunday.
A large dip in the jet stream located over eastern Canada will fuel the strengthening of a low pressure system over the northern Atlantic Ocean.
This system will track northward through today, spreading rain and wet snow throughout much of Newfoundland, New Brunswick and even parts of northern Maine.
After a much above-normal March and start to April across most of Atlantic Canada, temperatures are headed down below average for the next few days.
In fact, Chief Long-Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok stated in his spring forecast that "temperatures across the northeastern U.S. and Atlantic Canada will flip-flop more during April and early May with some quick cool shots arriving..."
With that being said, wintry weather will continue to overspread Nova Scotia and New Brunswick from south to north, bringing a mix of rain and snow to cities such as Halifax and Fredericton.
Meanwhile, precipitation will remain generally snow across Moncton and Charlottetown with upwards of 10-15 cm of accumulation expected through the day today. Some cities and towns could even pick up as much as 20 cm!

Though even across these cities, the snow may mix with rain or sleet at times overnight and during the afternoon hours.
Nonetheless, travel will remain difficult in some areas across New Brunswick and parts of Nova Scotia.
Be prepared for slow and slush-covered roadways and allow for extra time when traveling to your destination.
Farther to the east across Newfoundland, precipitation which begin as a mix of snow and rain overnight will remain all rain today.
The rain across this region could fall heavy at times overnight, producing areas of localized flooding.
Rainfall amounts of 25-40 mm are possible with localized amounts of 50 mm from Gander to St. John's and Deer Lake.
While the steadiest precipitation across Atlantic Canada will end from south to north during the day on Sunday, the aforementioned dip in the jet stream will stick around for a few days.
This will keep spotty showers, clouds and chilly temperatures in the air through the middle of next week.

Cold Rain, Wet Snow on Tap for Atlantic Canada