The island is in for a one-two punch of wintry weather over the Easter weekend.

The first jab, which starts this afternoon in the west, will work eastward throughout the day – eventually reaching the Avalon late tonight.

Environment Canada meteorologist David Neil says the snow will be light to start, but it will pick up in intensity on Saturday.

The south coast and Avalon Peninsula will be hit the hardest, with special weather statements out for both areas. He says between 15 and 20 cm will have fallen when all is said and done – by suppertime.

Central Newfoundland could see accumulations in the 5-10 cm range.

The snow will taper off in western Newfoundland by Saturday morning and by the afternoon on the Avalon.

The forecast is looking good for the Easter Bunny’s arrival Sunday morning, but Neil says another messy weather system moves in later that afternoon.

He says the snow will start in the west and move eastward once again. This time, however, Neil states the snow will change over to rain for most areas.

Neil says there is still a lot of uncertainty around precipitation totals for the second system.

He says some areas will see a good dumping of snow before the changeover to rain, but it is looking like the areas hit hardest with the first system won’t bear the brunt of the second one. He says the heavier snowfall totals will shift north more towards parts of central, the west, and northeast coast.