Blizzard for Newfoundland & Manitoba - mild in Quebec

Wind and snow make travel dangerous along the Trans-Canada Highway near Regina on Thursday afternoon.

It is a very busy weather morning across Canada with lots going on. We will start locally with temperatures colder this morning across the region under clear skies, lows dropped down to -4C here on L'Ile Perrot but as cold as -10C off island and north of the city. This cold air will begin to retreat northeast as a warm front approaches southern Quebec and Ontario. Some light rain will fall but there is the risk for freezing rain in the Adirondacks of New York and the Ottawa Valley. Those areas have freezing rain warnings posted. It should remain all rain for Montreal, but there may be a few slick spots. On Saturday very mild air will arrive pushing highs up to 8 or 9C region wide. On Sunday a strong cold front will introduce rain and eventually light snow before skies clear Monday. Temperatures will fall back below freezing into Monday morning, so the morning commute may be a little icy. It will be sunny and cooler Monday before more snow arrives on Tuesday. Much colder air is forecast by late next week, so don't make the mistake of thinking winter is over?

Meanwhile a strong storm lifting north from Colorado along with an arctic front have brought blizzard conditions to southern Saskatchewan spreading into southern Manitoba. Heavy snow, in some cases over 20cm, along with 70km/h winds and dropping temperatures have made travel dangerous. On the east coast a very strong ocean storm is pounding St. John's, Newfoundland and the Avalon this morning. The eastern half o the province is virtually shut down as heavy snow and 110km/h winds pound the area. Widespread power outages have occurred, roads and the airport in St. John's are closed. So far 30cm has fallen at the airport in St. John's, with another 35cm forecast today. At 7am, heavy snow and near zero visibility was reported with a wind gust to 106km/h at St. John's. The blizzard will continue for most of the day with travel strongly discouraged. Snowfall amounts of up to 75cm are possible in the eastern half of the province.