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“Severe” freezing rain is predicted to hit some parts of New Brunswick from Wednesday afternoon through to Thursday afternoon.
The storm is classified as severe because it is expected to be “widespread, prolonged and cause significant ice accumulation,” Environment Canada says.
The southern part of the province, from St. Stephen up to Richibucto, is expected to see a maximum of 15 millimetres of freezing rain.
The north, starting just below Miramichi, is expected to get the freezing rain on top of potential snow and ice pellets up to 25 centimetres.
In a technical briefing Tuesday, Environment Canada meteorologist Eric Thomilson said Fredericton is the ”bullseye” of the significant weather.
“It looks to be more of a freezing rain event and then potentially switching to rain,” he said.
He said residents should be aware of the hazards that come from weather like this.
“For areas that could see significant amounts of freezing rain, potentially 10 to 15 millimetres, there’s a possibility of power outages,” Thomilson said.
With so much ice buildup expected, residents should also be cautious about falling tree branches from high winds, he said.
“It’s not looking like this will be that type of case where we have significant wind,” Thomilson said.
“But that being said, we could still potentially have some gusts that could knock down some tree branches for areas that see more freezing rain.”
According to Thomilson, it would be good practice to park cars away from potentially vulnerable tree branches.
WATCH | Where you live in N.B. will determine what nasty weather conditions you’ll see:
24-hour storm threatens N.B. with ice pellets, snow, and rain
A messy storm is headed to New Brunswick, bringing ice pellets, freezing rain, heavy snow and rain Wednesday through Thursday.
The storm is also expected to hit parts of Ontario, Quebec and the other Atlantic provinces.
New Brunswick got a yellow warning, as opposed to the orange warning seen in Ontario and Quebec.
The yellow means “hazardous weather may cause damage, disruption, or health impacts,” the federal agency says.
The storm is expected to start in southern Ontario late Wednesday morning and make its way east toward New Brunswick by the afternoon
“I think as this moves in on Wednesday afternoon, the southern parts of the province pretty quickly change over to that icy mess, and then eventually over to rain,” CBC meteorologist Ryan Snoddon said.
“Northern areas are going to hang on to that snow zone longer.”
Northern areas like Miramichi and Edmundston are expected to see snow and freezing rain and ice pellet accumulation of 10 to 20 centimetres.
Snoddon sees the biggest concern coming from the freezing rain.
“When you’re talking about freezing rain for this duration of time, that’s when the ice is accumulating on everything,” he said.
“I think that is going to be a big problem, especially for central and northern parts of the province.”
Residents are advised Environment and Change Canada to plan ahead in case school or scheduled activities are cancelled.
The government also warned that the predicted accumulations of snow and ice may create slippery and hazardous travel or walking conditions.
Ice buildup on trees and utility infrastructure may cause damage or power outages.
