Thousands without power as snowstorm pounds Avalon Peninsula
Heavy snow and strong winds pummelled the Avalon Peninsula overnight. Thousands of people are experiencing power outages and many facilities in the metro region are closed due to the severe weather conditions.
Newfoundland Power says those conditions have left nearly 1500 customers without power in Portugal Cove-St. Philip's.
The severe weather conditions are also causing power outages for just over 200 customers on Salmonier Line and around 340 customers in Bunyan's Cove. In those cases, Newfoundland Power says crews are on the way.
In Southlands, 180 customers are without power, and there are a few smaller outages reported in Long Pond, Flynn's Brook and Shoe Cove. 200 customers in the Confederation Heights area also experienced an outage but it is believed power has since been restored.
Newfoundland Power wrote on social media that blizzard conditions are impacting the electrical system in eastern Newfoundland.
Crews are responding to outages where it is safe for them to do so, but that in some areas, roads are impassable, wrote the utility.
The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary also say road conditions are poor in the metro region.
"Crews are working to clear the roads but are experiencing whiteout conditions due to strong winds. If you don’t need to be out, we suggest staying inside until conditions improve," wrote the RNC on social media.
The City of St. John's has also closed part of Cochrane Pond Road due to drifting snow and poor visibility.
The RCMP are also advising people to stay home due to poor road conditions across the island.
Environment Canada meteorologist Veronica Sullivan told CBC News the snow will continue throughout the day, but with gradual improvement.
On the Avalon, "we can expect another 15 centimeters of snow in addition to what has already fallen," said Sullivan.
She said stations in Paradise are reporting that 30 centimeters of snow has fallen so far. Meanwhile, she said the St. John's Airport has reported 15 centimeters.
As for the winds, Sullivan said they are expected to stay very strong.
"They'll continue to be from the north 80 km/h up to 100 km/h. So the visibility will be greatly reduced," she said. "Definitely not a day to be out traveling if you can avoid that."
There's a wide array of closures and delayed openings in the region. Several watch parties for the Olympic gold medal hockey game were cancelled.
The City of St. John's, Mount Pearl and the town of Conception Bay South have closed all recreation facilities for the day, due to weather conditions.
Snow is piled high in the Southlands area of St. John's. (Abby Cole/CBC)
Metrobus and GoBus services are cancelled for the rest of the day.
There is also now an orange winter storm warning in place for the southeastern portion of Avalon peninsula, as another 10 to 15 centimeters are expected to fall and high winds are expected to continue.
There are also wind warnings in place for in central and northeastern Newfoundland, with winds gusting up to 100 km/h, said Sullivan.
There are blowing snow advisories from Grand Falls-Windsor all the way down to the western Avalon Peninsula. But snowfall totals are expected to be a bit less said Sullivan.
The Green Bay-White Bay region also has a winter storm warning in place, with two to four centimeters of snow expected to fall. Environment Canada expects it to end mid-day.
Southwestern Newfoundland also has a wind warning in place today, with winds gusting up to 100 km/h said Sullivan.
"That will continue most of the day today. But the good news for them is they're not really expected to get much snow out of this system," she said.
Thumbnail courtesy of Abby Cole/CBC.
The story was originally written by Abby Cole and published for CBC News.