Atlantic Canada was hit by a so-called weather bomb Thursday, a low-pressure system that made its way from Boston and blasted parts of the region with snow, rain and with powerful winds.
Winds of more than 100 kilometres an hour blew threw many communities in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, northern New Brunswick and the west and north coasts of Newfoundland.
But those soon were adjusted higher in parts of Prince Edward Island, where the warnings were increased to 110 km/h.
In Sydney, N.S., the wind was strong enough to tear the roof off a residential building, forcing tenants out. Some businesses in the area were also temporarily closed because of debris.
Bridges in Halifax were also shut to trucks and pedestrians because of the wind, and for a short time, the bridge to Prince Edward Island was also closed.
Environment Canada meteorologist Mel Lemmon said that some stronger gusts were partly because of the cold air pushing in behind warmer temperatures.
Lemmon said a so-called weather bomb is an intensifying low-pressure system that brings about a dramatic drop in pressure.
And the lower the pressure, the stronger the wind gusts that are produced.
In Nova Scotia, the wind warnings held throughout most of the province on Thursday, as hefty gusts knocked over power lines, sent debris blowing along city streets and made it difficult for pedestrians to get where they needed to go.
"I just came out for an appointment…and could barely get across the road, had to hold on to a pole," said Lise Lively, who was spotted in Halifax hanging on to a pole on a street median.
"I think I need some stones in my pockets to weigh me down."
Flights were delayed throughout the morning at Halifax Stanfield International Airport, while the winds also caused power outages. Ferry service between Nova Scotia and Newfoundland was delayed.
CTV meteorologist Cindy Day said that weather bombs typically move through an area quickly and the storm system that arrived in Atlantic Canada was no exception.
"These weather bombs come in, they move out. They don't linger," Day said.
With files from The Canadian Press
