Waking up to weather

Islanders are expected to be the recipients of another pre-December winter storm, which was scheduled to begin last night and last well into today.

Environment Canada issued a winter storm warning for the entire province on Wednesday, forecasting between 15 and 25 cm of total snowfall.

The weather agency expected a major low-pressure system to track towards the Maritimes and stall southeast of Cape Breton by Wednesday night, with snow beginning later in the evening.

The low is also expected to generate northerly winds gusting up to 100 km/h overnight and into this morning.

The heavy snow is expected to taper to lighter snow mixed with rain this morning before ending late in the day.

Lesser amounts of snow were expected over eastern sections of the Island, where snow is expected to mix with rain for the duration of the storm.

Large waves and pounding surf could also contribute to elevated water levels along north-facing coastal areas Thursday.

On the Northumberland Strait side of the Island, the storm warning prompted Northumberland Ferries Ltd. to cancel all of its crossings between Wood Islands and Caribou, N.S. for Thursday.

As for the Confederation Bridge, a site-specific weather forecast Wednesday indicated wind conditions overnight may have resulted in traffic restrictions beginning around 11 p.m. Wednesday and potentially lasting until 11 p.m. today.

Environment Canada advised considering postponing nonessential travel until conditions improve, saying visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in the heavy snow.