Islanders saw a white-out Christmas with Prince County under a winter storm warning all day and blowing snow creating hazardous driving conditions throughout the entire province.
RCMP are still requesting that motorists stay off P.E.I. roads with high winds creating poor visibility.
As of Monday evening, the entire province was under a storm surge warning with large waves expected to impact the coast.
Prince County was set to see the most hazardous winter conditions on Christmas Day with Environment Canada expecting the area to see about 20 cm of snowfall by the early evening.
"Rapidly accumulating snow could make travel difficult over some locations. Prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions. Visibility will be suddenly reduced to near zero at times in heavy snow and blowing snow," stated Environment Canada.
Meanwhile, Kings and Queens County were under wind warnings with a mix of snow, ice pellets and freezing rain expected throughout the day.
Snow and ice pellets amounts of five to 10 cm were expected.
Strong and gusty westerly winds will develop in the evening and gradually diminish overnight. Winds are expected to gust to 100 km/h near the coast.
Environment Canada will continue to monitor the development of this storm and provide updates as new information becomes available.
Damage to buildings, such as to roof shingles and windows, may occur. High winds may toss loose objects or cause tree branches to break.
In addition, large waves and storm surge will give higher than normal water levels and rough pounding surf for the north facing shorelines of the Island this afternoon and this evening.
Winds in Prince County are expected to gust up to 80 km/h.
The storm is being caused by a developing low pressure system off the eastern seaboard that will rapidly intensify as it moves northeastward to lie over Gulf of St. Lawrence this evening.
The low pressure system will give gale-force northerlies, with the highest threat being from Shediac north to Miramichi Bay.
Due to the observed water level in Shediac, the storm surge warning was extended to P.E.I.
Water levels are expected to subside overnight.
Winter storm warnings are issued when multiple types of severe winter weather are expected to occur together. Wind warnings are issued when there is a significant risk of damaging winds.
The Confederation Bridge has also issued a wind warning advisory. It says wind conditions from Dec. 25 at 12 p.m. until Dec. 26 at 6 a.m., may result in traffic restrictions on the Confederation Bridge.
Islanders are advised to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to [email protected] or tweet reports using #PEStorm.
