A Messy Thursday Commute for Cape Breton

Issued: January 28th, 2021 @ 1:30 AM

Updated: January 28th, 2021 @ 4:00 AM

Forecaster: James Follett

Some more wintry weather would be impacting the province today with more snow, fortunately, this will be a very minor system but could interrupt some travel plans and make for a messy commute all day.

The snow would be thanks to a very small trough that would bring onshore snow flurries and snow squalls. We’ll see the snow begin at 5:30 AM and continue through 5:30 PM in the evening. The early morning commute should be ok, But if leaving after 6:30 AM the roads may become a bit slick.

The main band of snow will occur over Inverness county and Victoria county, some snow flurries are also possible over Richmond county but snowfall amounts are expected to be far less compared to the folks in the West.

First flakes will enter the island by very early morning commute between 5:30 and 6:30 AM, then persist all the way into the afternoon and begin to move out just at the evening home commute.

So morning drive commute looks to be ok, with exception to a chance of seeing some slick roads, the lunch hour commute will likely be worst driving part of the storm as the snow will be coming down at times and there will be some low visibility at times, especially when some of the heaviest pockets hit and leave, and this is when the roads will likely be slushy and slick.

Evening drive, SHOULD be ok at this time, the snow should leave late afternoon or early evening, and I think visibility will improve by then however roads will likely be slushy and slick.

Looking at just a slight threat for some heavy snow and a low Travel threat risk, it’s nothing big some a tiny small nuisance to make a unpleasant day to drive or walk. No Freezing rain or sleet is expected.

So how much snow are we expecting? Well, this is a very minor event, so do not need to worry about using a snowblower, perhaps not even a shovel! We’re looking at very small amounts of generally a trace to 2cm, There could be some inland areas that may pick up 3-6cm, but that would be very isolated and most likely the highest amounts it will go to.

Once this system passes, there will still be leftover flurries from onshore winds but again nothing major, next system will impact Halifax and Southern portions of the province on Friday with snow and perhaps some mix!

There is a much bigger system we are watching that will likely come off as a very nasty nor’easter just in time for Mr. Groundhog! It’s still too early to be precise on that system but there could be a shovable or snow blower snowfall for much of the province along with the risk of some heavy rain, freezing rain and Ice.

There will be more on the Friday system and Groundhog system Later today!

Have a great Thursday!