Blowing snow leads to accidents, strandings

RCMP are reporting a number of road accidents in whiteout conditions around P.E.I., including a multi-vehicle collision on the Trans-Canada Highway west of Charlottetown.

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RCMP have closed the highway from Albany to Tryon.

RCMP have reported a number of highway accidents and strandings over the last 24 hours. Drifting snow has made portions of Route 1A between Confederation Bridge and Summerside impassable. Whiteouts on Route 2 near Summerside are also making travel virtually impossible. RCMP report Route 3 near Cherry Valley has several vehicles stranded as well. RCMP warn drivers who get stuck in drifts may have a long wait for help.

Public schools on P.E.I. are closed. Provincial offices, UPEI and Holland College are also closed.

Roads are slippery across P.E.I and RCMP are advising caution.

Plows are back to work across the Island. They returned to the roads in Queens County at about 5:30 a.m., in Prince County about 6 a.m., and in Kings before 8 a.m.

RCMP warn in Prince County, the plows are only on Routes 2 and 1A. They are advising drivers to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary.

With the temperature dropping to -14C in Charlottetown in the early morning, conditions are icy both on streets and on sidewalks.

The temperature is not expected to climb over -5C Monday. Colder-than-normal conditions are expected to continue until Thursday.