Snowfall warning issued for western P.E.I. from storm poised to approach on Thursday

Environment Canada has issued a snowfall warning for Prince County in western Prince Edward Island as a winter storm system takes aim at the province Thursday afternoon and evening. 

The warning, posted just after 4 p.m. AT on Wednesday, said 15 to 25 centimetres of snow could fall over western parts of the Island before the storm moves on.

"The snow will be heaviest later in the afternoon and may be mixed with ice pellets at times in the evening before ending overnight," the agency said. 

Special weather statements remain in effect for Queens and Kings counties, where Environment Canada says up to 15 centimetres of snow could end up on the ground.

The storm system is approaching as Prince Edward Island's power utilities grapple with uncertainty due to a damaged transformer at a key Maritime Electric substation near Summerside. Islanders have been asked to conserve energy for three straight evenings, with people served by Summerside's city-owned utility living under the threat of rolling outages. 

CBC meteorologist Jay Scotland said the first flurries might begin by late morning Thursday.

"Snow will become fairly heavy by late afternoon, which will see roads become messy, and as a brisk 20 to 40 km/h southeasterly wind develops, visibility will also deteriorate during that time," Scotland warned Wednesday afternoon.

"The worst conditions look to occur through the evening hours as moderate snow mixes with ice pellets and later patchy freezing rain and even some rain."

He said the warm and gusty 30 to 60 km/h winds will cause the temperature to eventually climb as high as 3 C late Thursday night. 

"Even though less accumulation is likely for central and eastern areas due to more mixing with icy precipitation and rain, travel conditions have the potential to be just as poor, with five centimetres to just over 15 centimetres possible according to the latest guidance."