CORNER BROOK
Batten down the hatches because there’s some nasty weather on the way.
Environment Canada issued wind warning and special weather statements this morning for most of the west coast.
Strong southeasterly winds with gusts up to 110 kilometres per hour are expected to develop in the Wreckhouse after midnight and continue to increase to 150 km/h on Wednesday.
For the Bay St. George, Corner Brook, Gros Morne and Parson’s Pond to Hawke’s Bay areas southeast or easterly winds will gust up to 130 km/h on Wednesday.
In all areas the wind speeds are expected to ease Wednesday evening as they shift strong southwesterly. However, they are expected to increase and approach warning criteria again on Thursday.
Motorists are advised to be prepared to adjust their driving with changing road conditions due to high winds. Loose objects may be tossed by the wind and cause injury or damage.
But the wind is not the only cause for concern.
Light snow or freezing rain will develop over western and central Newfoundland early Wednesday morning and spread to the Northern Peninsula by afternoon. This precipitation will then quickly change to rain.
Over southern Newfoundland, the rain will begin Wednesday morning and spread to eastern regions by afternoon. The rain will become heavy at times along the southwest coast on Wednesday evening with the potential to produce significant rainfall amounts.
The adverse forecast has caused Marine Atlantic to make some changes to its schedule.
Sailings from Port aux Basques and North Sydney have been cancelled for tonight and are now scheduled to depart at 11:45 a.m. on Wednesday.