Schools closed as wet, windy weather heads toward P.E.I. | CBC News

Both English and French public schools on Prince Edward Island are closed Wednesday as the province prepares for high winds and wet weather.

The storm is set to bring lots of wind to P.E.I. and could be an issue for drivers as snow is expected to start falling around mid-morning before changing to rain by the afternoon.

Environment Canada has issued a wind warning for all three of the Island’s counties as the storm presses through Quebec and the Maritimes. Schools in New Brunswick and dozens more in Nova Scotia are closed for the day.

Peak wind gusts could be as strong as 80-110 km/h Wednesday afternoon and into the evening.

CBC meteorologist Tina Simpkin says the storm hasn’t approached P.E.I. just yet, but will be coming on fast this morning as “things are going to turn very very slippery very very quickly.

“It is going to start off as snow, and by the time it’s all said and done some areas could see between 5-15 centimetres of snow,” Simpkin told Island Morning host Mitch Cormier.

“But the transition between the snow and the rain is going to occur a little bit later on this afternoon around 2 or 3 o’clock. That’s when the potential of freezing rain and ice pellets is going to occur and that’s when the highest winds are expected.”

Closures, delays and restrictions

Along with the Island’s public schools, Holland College and UPEI have closed their campuses for the day. 

There is a wind warning advisory in effect at the Confederation Bridge that could restrict travel between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.

The morning flight from Charlottetown to Montreal set for 11:10 has been cancelled.

Primary care appointments are cancelled at the Alberton Community Health Centre, Tyne Valley Health Centre, Tignish Co-Op Medical Centre and O’Leary Health Centre, according to Health P.E.I.

Cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation sessions at the Credit Union Place in Summerside are also cancelled for today.