Southern portions of Newfoundland are bracing for a wet and windy Friday as the remnants of post-tropical cyclone Josephine sweep past Atlantic Canada, bringing coastal wind gusts up to 100 km/h and localized snowfall.
Post-Tropical Cyclone Josephine Targets Atlantic Canada With High Winds and Heavy Rain
Southern regions of the island are facing wet and windy conditions today as post-tropical cyclone Josephine makes its way past Atlantic Canada, according to VOCM. Environment Canada meteorologist Maxine Cloutier-Gervais explained that while the system will deposit some rain, the primary hazard remains the wind. Wind warnings cover much of the south coast and the southern Avalon, where general gusts are projected at 80 km/h alongside peaks reaching 100 km/h in exposed coastal zones. Environment Canada also noted a distinct risk of snow over higher terrain, extending as far as the Clarenville area.
The system originated as a powerful low-pressure system meandering up the Eastern Seaboard before reaching cold North Atlantic waters, according to The Weather Network. The publication noted that the storm previously transitioned through multiple phases—functioning as a strong nor’easter, evolving into a subtropical storm on Wednesday, and shifting back on Thursday. While no longer officially a named storm, it continues to pack hazardous winds and heavy rainfall across the region. CBC meteorologist Ashley Brauweiler pointed out that the strongest winds will stay well offshore … but really most areas from the west coast, central eastern areas of the island will be seeing those gusts somewhere between 60 to 80 kilometres per hour.
Avalon and Coastal Regions Face Severe Wind and Utility Disruption Risks
Environment Canada has issued a yellow wind warning for Friday across the southeast and southwest Avalon Peninsula, alongside similar alerts for the Connaigre and Burin regions. Environment Canada meteorologist Robert Grove stated that weather is on the way,
prompting warnings that local utility outages could happen and travel could be disrupted. In addition to wind concerns, forecasters predict total rainfall accumulations of 10 to 20 millimetres for parts of the province starting Thursday, while coastal areas face potential wave heights and swells reaching three to five metres.
Drivers on regional routes face deteriorating conditions as the storm progresses. Grove advised motorists traveling along the Bay d’Espoir Highway, Burgeo Highway, Burin Highway, and the Trans-Canada Highway between Goobies and the Port Blandford area to take care of slippery road conditions.
Falling Temperatures Bring Unexpected Snowfall to Higher Terrain
As the storm system wraps cold air behind it, precipitation types are shifting across parts of central Newfoundland and the Burin Peninsula. Both Burgeo-Ramea and the Burin Peninsula are operating under a yellow wind warning and special weather statement indicating a likelihood of two to five centimetres of snowfall. We have some falling temperatures. And so unfortunately that means I have to say the word snow,
Grove remarked, adding that accumulation should remain concentrated over high-elevation zones and impact driving safety.
The Clarenville area is similarly tracking two to five centimetres of accumulation. Across the broader Atlantic region, rainfall amounts of 20 to 50 millimetres or more are expected, while central Newfoundland experiences a rain-snow mix through Friday.
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