Winter storm warning issued for P.E.I.

Prince Edward Islanders can expect heavy snow and strong winds from a winter storm expected to hit P.E.I. Thursday.

Environment Canada issued a winter storm warning at 4:30 a.m. Wednesday.

The snow is expected to start around midday Thursday. Visibility is expected to be poor in strong easterly winds.

"The snow will arrive by early afternoon and become heavier as the afternoon progresses," said CBCmeteorologist Jay Scotland."The heaviest snow/ice pellet accumulation will likely be in Prince County before the switch to rain late evening and overnight. Blowing snow before the switch to rain could make driving tricky through the second half of the day tomorrow."

Up to 25 cm

Up to 25 centimetres of snow is forecast. Winds will begin out of the east, peaking at gusts of 90 km/h Thursday evening.

That could lead to storm surges.

Scotland said Islanders should be prepared for bridge closures andpower outagesat home as well.

"The combination of heavy wet snow weighing down branches and power lines and strong winds could result in outages so be prepared to lose power," Scotland said.

The snow is expected to turn to rain Thursday evening, with the storm moving off into the Gulf of St. Lawrence by morning.

Cold weather will continue in advance of the storm. The temperature was at -16 C at 6 a.m. Wednesday, and is forecast to remain below -10 C all day.

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