Winter storm strikes Avalon and eastern Newfoundland

After a day of record snow and closures across much of eastern Newfoundland, all warnings and alerts have now ended for the island.

• RCMP urging motorists to drive to conditions
• Keep up to date with the latest weather updates and cancellations from CBC's Storm Centre 

Early snow

9 years ago

Duration 1:28

The St. John's Morning Show's Cecil Haire shot this early look at what it was like on the road as the snow started to fall.

Environment Canada ended storm warnings for the Avalon, Burin and Connaigre peninsulas, as well as the Burgeo and Clarenville areas by 4 p.m. Friday. Labrador and much of western Newfoundland were not affected by the storm systems.

Close to 30 centimetres of snow was on the ground in some areas of the island Friday afternoon, with winds gusting up to 90 km/h.

In St. John's, it was a record day for snowfall. The previous record — 25.9 centimetres in 1949 — was broken with 28 centimetres having fallen by 3 p.m. Friday.

Throughout the day, police were asking drivers to stay off roads and highways, as many sections were still covered well into the afternoon hours.

"I would advise that if you don't have to be out, don't be out here," RCMP Const. Dennis Hann told CBC's Crosstalk by phone from the side of the Holyrood access road around noon.

"I was pushing snow a few times and hooked some deep snow and went sideways. It's best to stay home and let the plows keep the roads clear."

Winter storm strikes Avalon and eastern Newfoundland

9 years ago

Duration 1:35

Avalon Mall, NLC open, but schools, some government offices closed

Tabea Siechter, with the Gander weather office, said that just before 9 a.m. Friday, St. Lawrence had received the most snow, with 11 cm on the ground.

"It looks like you've got about five centimetres down so far, and I'd say you're in for another 15 today before everything's said and done this afternoon," she said, on CBC's St. John's Morning Show.

"We can still expect up to 15 centimetres, of course locally there might be a little bit less in some spots," Siechter said.

Numerous closures; NLC, mall open

Many schools closed across the Avalon and eastern parts of Newfoundland.

The Newfoundland and Labrador English School District announced at 10:30 a.m. schools in the metro St. John's area, as well as Carbonear and Whitbourne stayed closed throughout the day.

• To get out of bed or not? A list of storm-related school cancellations, closures

Memorial University's St. John's campus and the Marine Institute were also closed.

Meanwhile, the College of the North Atlantic campuses were closed on Prince Philip Drive and Ridge Road. The Seal Cove, Carbonear, Burin and Placentia campuses also shut down due to the weather.

Provincial government offices in the St. John's area remained closed for the day and municipal buildings in Mount Pearl and Paradise also told employees to stay home.

However, Newfoundland Liquor Corporation stores and the Avalon Mall remained open throughout the day.

Mail delivery cancelled

Canada Post halted its mail delivery in St. John's just after 12:30 p.m. and will attempt some delivery over the weekend, weather permitting. Normal delivery will resume on Monday.

The weather has affected travellers, as well.

• How to prepare for winter storms with just #stormchips

Metrobus also altered some of its routes Friday and GoBus accessible transit has been experiencing some delays due to road conditions.

Some flights in and out St. John's International Airport were delayed or cancelled for Friday. Check the St. John's Airport Authority website for the latest.

Marine Atlantic has also rescheduled its overnight crossings to sail at 11:45 a.m., weather permitting.

Follow the latest weather and traffic updates in our live blog.