Winter storm warning remains in effect as storm rolls across P.E.I.
Cody MacKay | CBC News | Posted: January 30, 2018 9:38 AM | Last Updated: January 30, 2018
Schools, provincial government offices closed
Environment and Climate Change Canada maintained its winter storm warning for Prince Edward Island as snow fell across the province Tuesday.
"A mixture of freezing drizzle and snow will persist over the Island this evening, but the snow will intensify near midnight with a further 10 centimetres expected by Wednesday morning," the warning reads.
"Rapidly accumulating snow could make travel difficult over some locations. Visibility will be suddenly reduced to near zero at times in heavy snow and blowing snow."
Winds are expected to strengthen to 90 km/h Tuesday evening, causing reduced visibility and hazardous driving conditions due to blowing snow.
"Freezing rain has been falling for over an hour in Prince County, creating ice-covered roadways. Motorists are advised to use caution if travel is necessary," said RCMP Cpl. Michael Lutley of the East Prince detachment.
On Tuesday afternoon, Confederation Bridge restricted certain classes of vehicles from crossing until the high wind situation changed.
Schools, government offices closed
All provincial civil service offices were closed Tuesday afternoon.
Provincial offices in Kings County closed at noon and all provincial civil service offices in Prince and Queens counties closed at 1 p.m. Service Canada offices were closed in Montague, Souris, O'Leary and Summerside.
All public health appointments across the province were cancelled for the afternoon, and the Medicare office in Montague and the Health PEI office in Charlottetown were closed to the public.
Charlottetown City Hall and its administrative offices closed at 1 p.m. Cody Banks Arena, Simmons Sports Centre and the four City of Charlottetown Community Centres are also closed.
French and English public schools across P.E.I. were also closed for the day.
Island Waste Management Corporation said all cart collections scheduled in eastern P.E.I. were cancelled Tuesday. The alternate collection will be Saturday, Feb. 3.
Exams rescheduled
As a result of the school closures, high school exams that were scheduled to be written today at Montague, Souris, Colonel Gray, Charlottetown Rural, Bluefield, Kinkora and Westisle will be written Wednesday.
The professional development day scheduled for elementary, intermediate, and consolidated schools will remain on for Wednesday.
UPEI and Holland College campuses are closed.
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