Winter storm shuts down most of P.E.I.
A blizzard rolling over Prince Edward Island is creating whiteout conditions across the province.
“Whiteout conditions all over right now. We are getting some gusts here at Slemon Park up in the 90s,” said Mike Berrigan, highway maintenance superintendent for Prince County.
“I just came in myself a short time ago. I was out looking at things and it's pretty nasty. And you know there are places where the visibility is reduced to nothing. Zero.”
RCMP and police are urging motorists to stay off the road. Police are also reminding drivers that if they become stranded in a vehicle, they should remain inside the car until emergency assistance arrives.
Restrictions were placed on high-sided vehicles on Confederation Bridge at about 10:15 a.m. All morning and afternoon flights out of Charlottetown Airport have been cancelled. The airport was reporting sustained wind speeds of 65 km/h.
- Call in your cancellations to Storm Centre: 1-877-236-9350
The snow hit eastern P.E.I. about 7 a.m. and spread quickly westward. The English Language School Board made the call early, announcing a system-wide shutdown for the day at about 6 a.m. The French Language School Board, UPEI and Holland College have also cancelled classes for the day.
Environment Canada has had a blizzard warning in effect for the Island since midday Monday. Forecasters expect 15 to 25 centimetres during the day. Snow will continue overnight, changing to rain and possibly freezing rain in Queens and Kings Counties.
In Prince County, where the precipitation is forecast to continue as snow, an additional 10 to 15 centimetres could fall. In other parts of the province a further five centimetres is expected.
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