Winter storm bears down on P.E.I.

Hazardous winter conditions are expected to persist on Prince Edward Island Friday, with as much as 40 cm expected to fall in some regions by Saturday.

A winter storm warning is in effect in Kings County, where Environment Canada warns between 25 and 40 cm of snow could accumulate by Saturday.

• STORM CENTRE P.E.I.: Find cancellations and closures

"A low pressure system south of Nova Scotia will continue to track to the northeast tonight. Snow at times heavy will taper to flurries overnight. High winds combined with heavy snow may result in whiteout conditions in blowing snow over some areas," the warning reads.

"Consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve. Prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions."

Prince and Queens counties, meanwhile, are under snowfall warnings with up to 20 cm of snow expected to fall.

P.E.I.'s public schools closed two hours early Friday afternoon, and UPEI closed its campus at 4 p.m. AT.

The Confederation Bridge warns restrictions could be put in place as winds are projected in the 70 to 80 km/h range with gusts to 95 km/h.

As of 3 p.m. AT, the Charlottetown Airport was reporting both the 4:44 and 7:09 p.m. flights from Halifax were cancelled, as were the 5 and 7:25 p.m. flights to Halifax.

P.E.I. RCMP are also asking drivers to plan ahead for poor driving conditions into Saturday.