Weather alerts have been issued for Thursday and Friday for all of the island portion of the province and much of Labrador.
According to Environment Canada, a powerful winter storm is expected to move through the Gulf of St. Lawrence Friday.
A warm front associated will cross the island portion of the province Thursday night and bring snow and blowing snow to most of the island before changing to rain by Friday morning. But Environment Canada says winds are expected to be the biggest concern.
Strong easterly or southeasterly winds ahead of the warm front are expected for the entire island Thursday night. The south coast and west coast, especially areas prone to enhanced easterly winds, will likely require wind warnings, the weather forecaster said.
There is also the potential for storm surge impacts for southwestern Newfoundland near noon Friday when the storm's strong winds and waves coincide with high tide.
As for Labrador, there will be a variety of winter weather.
Snow will begin late Thursday evening in southern and western Labrador and spread to all areas of the Big Land by Friday morning while becoming heavy at times, Environment Canada said. The snow is expected to change to rain or drizzle over southeastern Labrador Friday. While it is still too soon to forecast snowfall amounts, it’s expected many areas of Labrador will receive significant accumulations.
Also, strong southeast to northeast winds could cause blizzard-like conditions.
