Expect poor road conditions Friday from freezing rain

Environment Canada has issued a freezing rain warning for all three P.E.I. counties ahead of what's expected to be a messy day on Friday.

Freezing rain warnings are issued when rain falling in sub-zero temperatures creates ice build-up and icy surfaces.

"Heading into the overnight hours [Thursday], we'll start to see snow mixing with ice pellets, initially over eastern areas then working west into Friday morning," saidCBC meteorologist Jay Scotland.Islanders should expect temperatures between4 to 6 Cwith east-northeast winds from 20-40 km/h.

"Freezing rain is possible Friday morning for eastern Kings County with that risk working west through the afternoon and evening," Scotland said."While all three counties are at risk for some freezing rain, the more significant risk is over central and eastern areas where four to eight plus hours is possible."

Scotland saideight to 15 centimetresof snow and ice pellet accumulation is possible, although 15 to 25 centimetresis possible over western Prince County, where temperatures will be a bit colder.

Afternoon temperatures Friday will be from 0 to 2C and winds from the east-northeast25-50 km/h.

"My main concerns include messy roads with the accumulation of snow and ice pellets [Thursday] through Friday morning followed by icy surfaces due to freezing rain through Friday afternoon and evening," Scotland said.

"Strong winds will also pick up Friday night, which may result in some blowing snow and potential outages as branches and power lines may be weighed down with snow and ice ahead of that wind."

Environment Canada warns that highways, roads, walkways and parking lots will become icy, slippery and hazardous, and ice buildup may cause tree branches to break.

Maritime Electric crews are keeping an eye on the weather and are ready to respond.

Charlottetown Airport issued a travel alert for Friday, advising weather could cause delays and cancellations, and urging travellers to check the status of their flights.

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