Residents clear snow from their driveways in St. John's on March 8.Paul Daly/The Canadian Press
More unpleasant weather marched across much of Atlantic Canada on Monday.
Environment Canada issued a series of weather warnings and special weather statements as residents of New Brunswick and Newfoundland were still digging out from heavy snowfalls.
In eastern Newfoundland, heavy rain was in the forecast, leading to warnings that flooding could result because the frozen ground would be unable to absorb the precipitation.
“Be sure to clear storm drains and gutters of snow or ice,” Environment Canada said in a weather warning. “Localized flooding is possible.”
Between 30 and 50 millimetres of rain was expected across the Avalon, Burin, Connaigre and Bonavista peninsulas by Tuesday afternoon, as gusts were forecast to reach 100 kilometres an hour along the coast.
On Saturday, residents of the northern Avalon Peninsula, which includes St. John’s, began digging out from under 50 centimetres or more of snow that fell over a two-day period. At the St. John’s Airport, 71.8 cm had accumulated during that time.
Meanwhile, between 10 and 30 cm of snow was in the forecast for central and northeastern parts of the island. In western and central Newfoundland the total snowfall could reach between 10 to 20 cm, but an accumulation of 50 cm is possible over higher terrain by Tuesday night.
And in southern Newfoundland, easterly gusts reaching 110 km/h were expected in Channel-Port aux Basques, Burgeo and Ramea.
“Damage to buildings, such as to roof shingles and windows, may occur,” Environment Canada said.
In Nova Scotia, rainfall warnings were issued for most of Cape Breton, and a special weather statement said residents along the province’s Atlantic coast should keep an eye on sea water levels because of an “exceedingly high” astronomical tide.
As well, very strong gusts reaching up to 140 km/h could sweep across an area from Margaree Harbour to Bay St. Lawrence in western Cape Breton, where Les Suetes winds are notorious for their strength.
In New Brunswick, the high tide warning applied to coastal communities from Bouctouche to the Bay of Chaleur, where high tides were expected Monday afternoon and again in the evening.