Highway conditions worsen, weather warnings remain in parts of N.L.
It's an off day for many schools across the island on Wednesday, as snow begins to fall and winter storm warnings remain in place for parts of Newfoundland and Labrador.
The RCMP warns of worsening road conditions across the island and asking drivers be careful. The RCMP advises drivers to be prepared for emergencies, with a full tank of gas and an emergency kit.
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Glovertown RCMP had responded to a transport truck blocking westbound lanes of the Trans-Canada Highway, about five kilometers east of the community, earlier in the day.
Elsewhere, Newfoundland Power has reported sporadic unplanned power outages impacting its customers.
Schools in the St. John's area remain closed for the rest of the day.
The NLSchools website is down, but updates are being made on its social media pages.
L'école des Grands-Vents , St. Bon's and Lakecrest Independent School will also be closed for the day.
Glovertown RCMP responded to a transport truck that had the westbound lanes of the Trans-Canada highway blocked for a period on Wednesday. (Glovertown RCMP)
Memorial University, the Marine Institute and MUN's Signal Hill campuses are also closed.
Provincial government offices in St. John’s are closed.
Garbage collection in Conception Bay South, St. John’s, Paradise, and Mount Pearl have been postponed.
Snow warnings in place
The Avalon and Burin peninsulas remain under Environment Canada's yellow warning. Roughly 15 to 24 centimeters of snow is expected to fall through Wednesday evening.
While there is some rain falling along southern areas, wind and snowfall warnings remain.
CBC meteorologist Ashley Brauweiler said heavy snow is expected to intensify for several hours through the afternoon.CBC meteorologist Ashley Brauweiler said heavy snow is expected to intensify for several hours through the afternoon.
The RCMP are cautioning drivers across Newfoundland about worsening road conditions due to snow. (RCMP Traffic Services East)
Clarenville, Terra Nova and the Connaigre Peninsula are all under an orange warning, with expected snowfall totals between 30 and 40 centimeters.
Brauweiler said high winds are expected to ramp up toward the afternoon, along with heavier snowfall. This will bring low visibility.
The snowfall is expected to wrap up late in the evening.
Parts of northeastern Newfoundland and the interior, including the Grand Falls-Windsor area, also have a yellow alert. Around 15 to 30 centimeters is expected.
Brauweiler said snow is expected to get heavier in this region through the afternoon.
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Thumbnail courtesy of Darrell Roberts/CBC.
This article was originally published for CBC News.