As winter storm approaches, all St. John’s area schools, government buildings preemptively close
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Wednesday will be a good day for snow-clearing businesses on the Avalon Peninsula as another major winter storm barrels toward eastern Newfoundland.
Environment Canada issued an orange winter storm warning for the St. John’s area and the northern Avalon peninsula. Between 25 to 55 centimeters of snow is expected to fall on the region, with wind gusts up to 80 km/h.
The storm will begin to move across the southern Avalon early Tuesday evening and push into the northern Avalon shortly after. It’s not expected to let up until overnight Wednesday, and periods of snow, freezing drizzle or drizzle will continue into the weekend.
By 7:30 p.m. NT Tuesday evening, preemptive cancellations had already begun. All provincial government offices in the St. John’s metro region will be closed Wednesday morning, with an update at 11 a.m.
All schools in the St. John’s metro region will also be closed on Wednesday.
Some businesses also announced closures, including the Newfoundland and Labrador Credit Union.
Orange winter storm warnings indicate severe weather that will have major, widespread and longer-lasting impacts. Yellow warnings indicate hazardous weather with moderate, localized or short-term impacts. (Environment Canada)
The southern Avalon is expected to see between 15 and 30 centimeters of snow, with wind gusts expected to reach 80 km/h, except along the coast where it could reach 100 km/h.
Clarenville, Bonavista, and the Terra Nova area will also see parts of Tuesday’s storm.
Around 25 to 30 centimeters of snow is expected, with wind gusts around 70 km/h.
The heaviest snow for that area is expected to taper off Wednesday night, but like the Avalon periods of snow, freezing drizzle and drizzle will continue until the weekend.
A special weather statement is also in place for the central and the northwestern area of the island.
Roughly 15 to 25 centimeters of snow could fall beginning Wednesday morning into Thursday morning, with potential wind gusts between 50 to 70 km/h.
Snow is expected to be “wet and heavy,” with temperatures hovering near freezing.
People planning on travelling should consider adjusting their plans, Environment Canada says, as it is warning of slippery, difficult-to-navigate roads caused by snow accumulation.
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