Massive winter storm brings blizzard conditions to Newfoundland

The word 'blizzard' gets used a bit too often sometimes, with nearly every big winter storm taking on that title at some point, but in the case of Newfoundland over the next two days, it is no exaggeration.

"This is going to be a full-on storm tonight and right through the day tomorrow," said meteorologist Ryan Snoddon, according to CBC News. "It's going to be a nasty day. There's no other way to put it."

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Environment Canada has issued blizzard warnings for regions of the Island of Newfoundland from Terran Nova, through the Avalon Peninsula and St. John's Metro area, and around to the Burin Peninsula, forecasting between 30 and 40 centimetres of snow for most of the warning area, and possibly up to 70 centimetres for Northern Avalon and St. John's!

What really makes for a true blizzard, though, is throwing strong winds (over 40 km/h) and widespread blowing snow into the mix, and with all that snow today (with more on the way), and wind gusts of up to 110 km/h or higher overnight tonight and through Friday, they definitely match that definition. The blowing snow from these 'whole gale'-force winds will drive visibility down to zero, and the winds will also drive otherwise mild temperatures down to a wind chill of -15 to -20, making for extremely hazardous conditions through until Friday night.

Schools in the warning areas are already closing today due to the snow and are expected to remain closed for tomorrow. Also, although supplies of some things are a bit short due to recent bad weather delaying or canceling ferry service from the mainland and truck shipments to stores, residents are stocking up on whatever they can.

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The Director of Public Works & Parks for the St. John's metro area, Paul Mackey, is recommending that everyone stay indoors, and added a warning that it may be some time before some areas see a plow.