Delays, closures in P.E.I. ahead of possible blizzard-like conditions

Delays and closures began on P.E.I. Monday afternoon with significant snowfall, strong winds and blowing snow forecast to hit the Island.

Environment Canada has issued yellow weather warnings across the province. Kings County is under a snowfall warning while Prince and Queens counties are under winter storm warnings.

CBC P.E.I. meteorologist Jay Scotland said the worst weather is expected Monday evening and overnight as flurries become heavier and a strong northeasterly wind develops.

"Flurries will become steady and heavier later this afternoon and evening, as a very gusty northeasterly wind develops," he said. "Blizzard-like conditions are possible tonight with moderate to heavy snow falling and blowing."

Scotland said winds could potentially top 90 km/h in exposed areas.

He said as much as 15 to 25 cm of snow could fall across most of central and western parts of the Island.

"Whether you're on the high or low end of that snowfall projection, my main concerns with this storm are for significant blowing and drifting snow, which may result in near-zero visibility at times, while also making clearing operations more challenging Monday night through Tuesday morning," Scotland said.

Snow is expected to continue until around noon on Tuesday. Rain is possible for eastern areas of the province as temperatures edge up near or above the freezing mark, which Scotland said may reduce snow totals a bit but make road conditions both snowy and slushy into early Tuesday.  

"While storm conditions begin to ease into Tuesday afternoon with steady snow tapering to lighter flurries, some time will be needed to clear roads before travel conditions improve," he said.

"A strong northwesterly wind also persists into Tuesday afternoon, with gusts from 50-70 km/h possible through mid-afternoon, which means that blowing and drifting snow may be an issue for much of the day."