Snow, strong winds hit Newfoundland: Travel not recommended

Thursday, January 23, 2014, 7:43 AM -

As much of the Maritimes dig out of up to 40 cm of snow, blizzard warnings remained in place across parts of Newfoundland Thursday morning. 

Officials warned drivers to stay off regional highways in western Newfoundland and southern Labrador.

According to a government advisory, the highway connecting Burgeo with the Trans-Canada Highway was blocked with snow.

Several other highways across the province were also deemed "too dangerous for travel."

SEE ALSO: Blizzard aftermath: More school closures as Maritimers dig out

"A low pressure system over southern Newfoundland will continue to intensify as it crosses eastern Newfoundland this morning and quickly tracks out to sea," said Environment Canada in the Thursday morning warning. "Areas north of the track of the low will continue to receive cold blizzard like conditions while areas south of the track will remain mild and wet with very strong southwesterly winds."

The city of St. John's recorded a gust of 117 km/h before 9:30 am, while Cape Race saw a peak gust of 133 km/h. 

"This will combine with freshly fallen snow to reduce visibility at times in blowing snow," EC adds.

Conditions are expected to gradually improve for all areas through the afternoon hours.

Marine Atlantic temporarily kept its ferries off the Gulf of St. Lawrence on Thursday morning and several schools in western and central Newfoundland were closed for at least the morning.

If I didn't love skiing so much I would hate waking up I this (PS. I still *disliked* waking up to this) #nlwx pic.twitter.com/6P8hCIZQOC

— Jeremy Eaton (@Jeremy_Eaton) January 23, 2014