Weather statement warns of winter mix of snow, freezing rain

Environment Canada is now describing this weekend's storm as "very intense" in a special weather statement Thursday. 

The statement says the weather is expected to start as snow Saturday morning and change to rain late in the day — with freezing rain and ice pellets possible in the middle.

Then Sunday, rain is expected to turn back to snow, before it tapers off. 

The statement also warns of a potential for storm surge and higher than normal water levels Saturday afternoon, mainly on the north coast. 

Ice pressure and rafting is also possible.