SYDNEY, N.S. — Just as Cape Bretoners begin to see over the top of the snowbanks — here we go again.
More snow is headed to the Atlantic region Thursday and in Nova Scotia, the major punch will be in Cape Breton.
SaltWire Network’s resident meteorologist Cindy Day said the storm will bring about 20 cm of snow to western regions of Cape Breton and 10-15 cm to Sydney and the eastern portion of the island.
“It’s going to be a big wind event too,” Day said. “Even the Sydney area will see gusts 80-90 and the suetes winds on the other side. It’s pretty significant.”
On Wednesday, Day said the storm was south of Lake Erie and would deepen and become one of the more powerful storms as it tracks up the St. Lawrence River.
Precipitation is forecast to begin in Cape Breton around 4-5 p.m., with blustery conditions and strong winds ahead of the snowfall, Day said.
A storm warning is possible because blowing snow could affect visibility, said Day.
“That will be an issue, poor visibility the latter part of the afternoon and evening and overnight with all the wind and snow across Cape Breton.”
Gusts in the Inverness areas are expected to reach 140 km/hr Thursday evening.
Meanwhile, the Cape Breton Regional Municipality has been moving snow.
“All we’ve been doing the past week is widening streets,” said John Phalen, public works manager with the municipality.
Phalen said they’ve been concentrating on the narrow streets including side streets off George Street and Cottage Road in Sydney.
“We’ve got the snow all pushed back to the curb.”
Phalen said since there is often no place to put the snow, operators use big snowblowers to put the snow into trucks and haul it away. Snow is transported to an area off Terminal Road in Sydney near the public works central division depot, which now houses massive piles of snow.
However, Phalen said they were running out of room to dump snow there, so they have had to bring bulldozers in to pile it up.
Phalen said in the last few years snowstorms were followed by rain which would melt the snow, but this year that hasn’t happened.
News that more snow is on the way Thursday was not welcomed, although Phalen was pleased that a week had been spent widening the streets.
“We’re kind of disappointed because we’re just getting our sidewalks cleared and now will have to go back to square one and start all over again.”
For the latest forecasts check Cindy Day’s "Weather by Day" updates on the Cape Breton Post website, 11:15 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.
