#StormySaturday: Blizzard continues through the evening, with winds and blowing snow expected to end tonight
The blizzard buffeting the Avalon and Bonavista peninsulas is expected to continue through the evening.
Environment Canada has issued a blizzard warning for the evening, with the winds and blowing snow expected to end tonight in the eastern and southern part of the peninsulas, with scattered flurries expected elsewhere.
Although the blizzard warning for Clarenville and vicinity has been lifted, blowing snow conditions are contributing to low visibility and slippery conditions across much of eastern Newfoundland, where a warning remains in effect.
Const. Janet Austin of the RCMP's traffic services unit in Holyrood said police are asking drivers to stay off the roads until conditions improve.
She said blowing snow in particular has been a problem.
"The plows actually in this condition won't be able to keep up. They will plow but very shortly after it will drift in again," said Austin.
"Even emergency services are going to have trouble getting around in this weather. So if you don't need to go [out], don't go."
Newfoundland Power reported an unplanned outage on Marine Drive due to severe weather conditions.
Snow continuing all day long
By midday Saturday, Environment Canada was forecasting snowfall accumulations of 20 to 30 cm on the northeastern portions of the Avalon Peninsula, and 5 to 10 cm elsewhere.
Blustery conditions were an issue all morning, with winds gusting up to 100 km/h throughout the day and into Saturday night.
Snow accumulated at the St. John's International Airport, with 23 cm of snow measured by 12:30 p.m according to meteorologist Rodney Barney.
Derm Kearney from Environment Canada's Gander weather office said the snow was expected to continue into the evening, but the most hazardous conditions would be Saturday morning.
"Up to around noon hour I would say the worst of it would be and then gradually easing off into the afternoon."
The RCMP is asking people to stay off the highways, unless it's an emergency.
Cancellations across the Avalon
Metrobus service was delayed for the morning, but announced buses would be on the roads by 4:30 p.m. GoBus was expected to be back on the road by 5 p.m., while the Avalon Mall is closed throughout the day.
Cancellations have been reported at the St. John's, Gander, and Deer Lake international airports, while all public libraries along with most businesses in St. John's are closed for the day.
The Department of Transportation and Works said they have extra staff on hand to attend to repairs that may be required due to heavy snow and demands on equipment.
Poor visibility and drifting snow resulted in the closure of Route 13 from St. John's to Peter's River Saturday morning.
Stay tuned to CBC NL and our Storm Centre for up to the minute coverage throughout the day.
