High winds, possible flash freeze in store for Newfoundland as storm pummels island

A spring-like burst of heavy rain and high winds is battering much of Newfoundland Friday, which will make travelling tricky over the course of Friday evening and into Saturday.

Rain is now over the Avalon peninsula, according to CBC meteorologist Ashley Brauweiler.

It's paired with high winds, with gusts reaching 108 km/h in Burgeo, 122 km/h on Sagona Island on Newfoundland's south coast, and 111 km/h at St. John's International Airport.

The heavy rain will continue for most of the night tonight, Brauweiler said Friday afternoon.

"Eventually by the time we go to around midnight, just after midnight, the rain should end and then we're actually looking at the wind dying as well. And the temperatures are going to drop like a rock."

Rainfall warnings remain in place across Newfoundland, which is causing flooding in some parts of the island when paired with melting snow. Route 461, south of the Port au Port peninsula, has been closed due to flooding, according to the Department of Transportation and Works.

Washouts have also been reported on Route 460 near Noels Pond and near Felix Cove, and Route 462 at Point au Mal. Police are also on the scene assisting a flooded vehicle on the Trans-Canada Highway near George's Brook.

A transport truck turned over on a stretch of road about 50 kilometres away from Goobies Friday afternoon amid the high winds, and as of 6 p.m. Friday afternoon, more than1,100 customers were left in the dark, according to Newfoundland Power.

A flash freeze warning is also in place across Newfoundland as temperatures are expected to drop quickly overnight.

But once the system begins to pass Saturday morning, Brauweiler says the weather looks calm for the weekend.

"Temperatures are expected to be fairly cold as we head through the day tomorrow, and then a quiet day for the most part," she said.

"We may see a few flurries lingering, just because those temperatures will drop in the morning, but then the afternoon actually looks pretty nice."

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