Newfoundland and Labrador news — The Newfoundland Wind Storm that hammered the island Saturday was exactly the kind of fall wallop weather forecasters warned about: gusts over 110 km/h, power lines down, and St. John’s recording its windiest day in more than four months.
By Maplestime News Desk | St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador | September 20, 2026
Sources: CBC News via EIN News, The Weather Network | Last updated: September 20, 2026
Key Takeaways
- A low-pressure system brought damaging winds to Newfoundland on Saturday, Sept. 19, knocking out power in parts of the island.
- Measured gusts hit 115 km/h in Twillingate, 112 km/h in Bonavista, 101 km/h on Sagona Island, 87 km/h in Gander, and 82 km/h in St. John’s.
- Environment Canada kept wind warnings in place for most of Newfoundland through Saturday, covering the Avalon, Bonavista, and Northern peninsulas plus parts of the central region.
- Offshore waves reached 4–7 metres, and ferry services faced disruption.
- Newfoundland Power pre-positioned crews across the province and said it was closely “monitoring the evolving wind conditions.”
Newfoundland Wind Storm Barrels Across the Island
The system didn’t sneak up on anyone. Forecasters called for gusts of 100–110+ km/h through Saturday, and by 2 p.m. local time the readings were matching the warnings. Twillingate topped the list at 115 km/h. Bonavista hit 112. Sagona Island clocked 101, Gander 87, and St. John’s 82 — making Saturday the capital’s windiest day since May 13.
For anyone who’s lived through a Newfoundland fall, these numbers are familiar but not harmless. Gusts in that range are enough to snap branches, tear at loose siding, and knock lines down. That’s exactly what happened: pockets of the island lost power as the storm peaked Saturday.
Environment Canada kept wind warnings posted for most of Newfoundland through the day — the Avalon Peninsula, the Bonavista Peninsula, the Northern Peninsula, and parts of the central region all under alert. On the water, the story was just as rough: offshore waves building to 4–7 metres, which left ferry services disrupted and marine travel a non-starter for the afternoon.
Utility Crews Were Ready Before the First Gust
The Newfoundland Wind Storm caught no one at Newfoundland Power off guard. The utility had repair crews strategically positioned across the province before the worst of the wind arrived, bracing for outages rather than reacting to them.
Glenda Power, Director of Stakeholder Relations and Communications for Newfoundland Power, said the company was closely “monitoring the evolving wind conditions,” with crews standing by to respond as outages were reported.
What the Newfoundland Wind Storm Tells Us About Fall
This storm is a preview, not an anomaly. September in Newfoundland is the doorway to storm season, and low-pressure systems like this one will keep lining up across Atlantic Canada through October and November.
- Wind warnings held through Saturday for the Avalon, Bonavista, and Northern peninsulas and parts of the central region.
- Ferry disruptions are routine during these events — travellers should check schedules before heading to the terminal.
- Outages tend to cluster in exposed coastal areas; a charged phone and a flashlight remain the smartest insurance policy.
The broader point: this Newfoundland Wind Storm wasn’t historic, and that’s precisely why it matters. A storm that merely meets its forecast — 100–120 km/h gusts, downed lines, rough seas — is the baseline expectation for a Newfoundland autumn. Utilities, ferry operators, and households that plan for the routine events are the ones that get through the extraordinary ones.
What’s Next After the Newfoundland Wind Storm
With the system moving off through Saturday evening, attention now turns to cleanup and the damage count. Crews positioned by Newfoundland Power worked through restoration as winds eased. Residents dealing with downed trees or property damage should report hazards to local authorities and their utility provider.
Forecasters will be watching the next system taking shape over the Atlantic. In late September, there’s always a next one.
Maplestime will provide updates from this storm’s aftermath as announcements are made.
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Newfoundland Power had crews pre-positioned this time — but should pre-emptive storm preparation be the mandatory standard for every utility in Atlantic Canada? Tell us in the comments. And share this with every Canadian watching the fall storm season.
