Warm and wet weekend ahead

Some unseasonably mild weather will bring a January thaw to most of the island portion of the province over the next couple of days, with eastern parts of the island particularly affected, Environment Canada says.

Double-digit temperatures in eastern Newfoundland on Saturday and Sunday, plus showers on Saturday, followed by steady rain on Sunday, will melt much of the snow already on the ground.

People in western Newfoundland are warned to clear storm drains in preparation for a deluge of rain coming this weekend. Environment Canada issued a rainfall warning, with heavy rain expected in areas where the frozen ground can’t absorb it. This means a heightened risk of flooding, elevated water levels and water pooling on roads.

Western Newfoundland can expect 50 millimetres of rain, with potential for almost 100mm over the mountains.

Temperatures are expected to drop Sunday evening on the east coast, but as early as Saturday night in central. A prolonged period of freezing rain is likely behind the front, especially for the Northern and Baie Verte peninsulas.