Maritime Mayhem: Halloween Weekend Storm

Oct 29, 2011; 10:45 AM ET

The same storm clobbering the northeastern United States Saturday will swing into the Maritimes Sunday with high winds, heavy wet snow and rain.

A rapidly strengthening storm will roll up from Cape Cod, Mass., Saturday night to along the Nova Scotia coast Sunday.

The storm’s approaching winds will kick up, causing pounding surf along the northeast and north-facing shorelines of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Wind gusts in this area can top 100 kph.

Very rough conditions are in store for the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Small craft should remain in port Sunday.

While mostly rain will fall over much of Nova Scotia, heavy snow will fall just north and west with 30 centimeters possible in part of interior southeastern New Brunswick.

A mix of rain and wet snow is in store for Prince Edward Island with an average of 6 to 12 centimeters and the greatest amounts in northwest.

The storm will end as snow in most places receiving rain during most of the storm.

The high winds and warm water will make for a plastering effect from the snow.

The strength of the wind and weight of the snow will lead to downed trees and power lines. Use caution when driving or walking through wooded areas.

The rain will be intense enough to cause flash and urban flooding problems in coastal areas.

Beyond the Maritimes, the storm will roll across Newfoundland Sunday night into Monday with rain in the southeast and rain and heavy wet snow in northwest. In both areas, the precipitation will be greatly wind-driven.

By Alex Sosnowski, expert senior meteorologist.