Shovels ready? Wet weekend could also bring first snowfall for parts of Newfoundland

The first accumulating snowfall of the season may hit parts of Newfoundland this weekend meaning there could be enough snow to bring out the shovels on what otherwise will be a rainy period.

Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement saying the Avalon Peninsula, and parts of northeastern, central and western Newfoundland could have some wintry weather Saturday afternoon.

Mike Vandenberg, a meteorologist with the Gander weather office, said the statement was issued "to give people a bit of a head's up with the snow moving in."

Initial estimates on Friday said snowfalls will be around five centimetres, with as much as 10 centimetres expected on higher terrain.

The statement notes that coastal areas may only have rain through the weekend.

Western Newfoundland, including the stretch between Deer Lake and Gros Morne National Park, could have snow as early as Friday night.

The weather office will update its advisories as needed by Saturday morning, as there was still "considerable uncertainty" about accumulation amounts and timing.

"Any change in the storm's track would significantly affect where and when the heaviest snow will fall," the statement said.

Snow has already fallen this fall in some areas of the province, including Corner Brook and parts of Labrador.

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