Updated

Ready for 15-30 cm of snow, but not liking it very much

If you live in central Newfoundland you might want to dig out the snowblower and shovels from storage.

Environment Canada says rain will change to snow Wednesday night

CBC News ·
Some Gander residents haven't put their snowclearing tools away and it's just as well, given the forecast. (Garrett Barry/CBC)

Transportation Minister Steve Crocker says snow clearing crews are ready for the winter weather that's heading into central Newfoundland Wednesday night and into Thursday.

Environment Canada is predicting between 15-30 cm of snow for the Grand Falls-Windsor, Bay of Exploits, Bonavista North, Gander and Terra Nova regions.

Highway crews started gearing up a couple of days ago.

"Obviously our crews were switched to summer mode," Crocker said. "So it will take us longer ... to get the roads cleared."

He noted that drivers are also in summer mode, and encouraged everyone to drive carefully.

Ruth Doyon chose the wrong time to visit her sister in Gander. She's from Ontario, where it was 28 degrees Wednesday. (Garrett Barry/CBC)

In Gander Wednesday afternoon, people were bracing themselves.

Ruth Doyon is visiting from Ontario, where it is 28 degrees. 

"I said we're going out with the water hose and wash it all down," she joked.

"I haven't put my snowblower away yet, but what I want to do is go back to my warehouse and put the plow back on my truck, but I don't expect to be that busy," said David Brake.

Louise Mercer and Lori Noseworthy were out shopping for a bicycle for Noseworthy's granddaughter Wednesday. They can't believe the forecast. (Garrett Barry/CBC)

Rain is expecting to change to snow Wednesday evening and become heavier during the night.

The snow should then taper to flurries Thursday morning before ending in the afternoon.

Accumulation of the snow could vary given the time of year, but higher elevations are more likely to get snowfall amount near 30 cm while lower elevations will be closer to 16 cm.

Much of the rest of the island, with the exception of the west coast, is expected to just get 25 to 45 mm of rain between Wednesday evening and Thursday afternoon.