Poor weather and road conditions have forced some schools across the province to close on Wednesday. 

All schools in the Anglophone West School District are closed. Schools in the Anglophone North School District are also closed with the exception of schools in Rexton. All schools are closed in the Francophone North-West School District.  

Meanwhile, some schools in the Francophone South School District are closed:

  • Régionale de Baie-Sainte-Anne in Baie Saine-Anne is closed
  • Carrefour Beausoleil in Miramichi is closed
  • Secondaire Assomption in Rogersville is closed
  • W.-F.-Boisvert in Rogersville is closed
  • École des Bâtisseurs in Fredericton
  • École Les Éclaireurs in Fredericton
  • École Sainte-Anne in Fredericton
  • Arc-en-ciel in Oromocto

Classes at the New Brunswick Community College [NBCC] in Fredericton will start at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday morning to allow students and staff extra time to commute. Classes at NBCC Woodstock will be delayed until 10:30 a.m. Classes at NBCC Miramichi will also be delayed until 10 a.m.

Special weather statement

Environment Canada issued a special weather statement for the northeastern part of the province Wednesday morning, saying significant rainfall is expected.

The Canadian weather agency said a low pressure system is currently over southeastern Maine and will continue to track northeastward, while intensifying throughout the day. 

As a result, higher than normal water levels and rough surf are expected near high tide today from the Bay of Chaleur to Miramichi Bay.

Poor road conditions

Mike Walker, the manager of roadway operations for the City of Fredericton, said main streets are mostly bare in the capital city, with some heavy slush and water.

"Be very careful driving through slush and puddles," he said. "It can pull your car in different directions if you're not careful."

Felicia Murphy, spokesperson for SNC-Lavalin, said roads from the Quebec border to Grand Falls are snow covered with slushy areas.

"This area has received the least amount of rain or freezing rain overnight," she said.

The highway between Grand Falls and Longs Creek saw more rain and freezing rain, making the roads wet with icy patches. This type of precipitation makes it more difficult for salt application, said Murphy.

"Motorists should keep in mind there are a lot of slippery, icy sections," she said. "Keep it slow."

From Longs Creek to Moncton, roads are mostly wet with slushy and icy areas, most of which are in the passing lane, said Norman Clouston, the general manager for the MRDC Operations Corp.

Meanwhile, Environment Canada ended Tuesday's snowfall warning.

Kalin Mitchell, a CBC meteorologist, said the current storm will press through northern New Brunswick on Wednesday, moving towards western Labrador.

"The heaviest of the rain and remaining snow, if any, will ease to showers this morning and afternoon," he said.

"Showers are expected to mix with or turn to flurries by late afternoon and evening for much of the Maritimes."

Mitchell said snowfall amounts could range between 1 to 5 cm.