A late winter storm that lashed the Maritimes blew into Newfoundland Monday bringing blizzard conditions to the island.
Environment Canada meteorologist Ian Khan said as much as 40 centimetres of snow was expected to fall in eastern Newfoundland, while the rest of the island was expected to get 20 centimetres or more. “They are pretty much in the middle of it,” said Khan. “They are expecting similar amounts [to the Maritimes] through the remainder of the day.”
(Winter weather: Follow today’s forecast for your area)
Incredibly heavy snow flying near the airport now. Can barely see across the street in this video! #NLwx #YYT pic.twitter.com/dC245GQPfN
— Eddie Sheerr (@EddieSheerr) March 16, 2015
I think she's amazed at all the white stuff blowing around. It's still blizzard conditions in St. John's #nlwx pic.twitter.com/QIOKt7DUfJ
— Deana StokesSullivan (@TelegramDeana) March 16, 2015
Treacherous whiteout conditions prompted the RCMP to advise motorists to stay off the province’s roads. As well, Marine Atlantic cancelled its ferry crossings between Port aux Basques, N.L., and North Sydney, N.S.
The province’s largest health authority, Eastern Health, cancelled all non-essential and elective services and appointments at its hospitals and community health centres.
Khan said the weather system that paralysed much of the Maritimes on Sunday was expected to slowly move out of parts of northern Nova Scotia, southeastern New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island through Monday.
He said blizzard warnings had been downgraded to a blowing snow advisory.
Route 15 e/b Exit 19a still blocked. pic.twitter.com/ZPY1F43JlI
— RCMP New Brunswick (@RCMPNB) March 16, 2015
Travel continued to be challenging, with several delays and cancellations affecting flights within the Atlantic region, while the Confederation Bridge to PEI remained closed to traffic.
Conditions also forced the closure of the Trans Canada Highway between Moncton and Amherst, N.S.
Khan said the storm dumped 44 centimetres of snow in Moncton while parts of P.E.I. saw between 40 and 50 centimetres. The highest amount was 59 centimetres reported by the airport in Sydney, N.S.