Some schools on Newfoundland’s west coast remained closed for a second day as Environment Canada issued yellow warnings and winter storm alerts for large parts of the island. NL Schools kept classes canceled in the Corner Brook and Humber Valley area for the morning, with an announcement expected later in the morning.
Yellow Warnings Cover Large Swaths Of Newfoundland
Environment Canada has issued weather alerts for large swaths of Newfoundland and parts of Labrador, including yellow wind warnings for the Avalon Peninsula and the west coast. There is an orange rainfall warning for Burgeo-Ramea and a yellow winter storm warning for Cartwright to Black Tickle. Forecasters say there will be some snow, freezing rain and ice pellets on the west coast in the morning before a transition to snow.
Local Disruptions: Schools, Ferries And Power
Schools were closed in Corner Brook for a second consecutive day, and NL Schools maintained closures for the Corner Brook and Humber Valley area for the morning with a later update planned. Strong winds prompted warnings that ferry schedules, including the MV Legionnaire service between Bell Island and Portugal Cove, could be canceled without notice; the alternate vessel for that route, the MV Sound of Islay, has already been canceled because of the forecast.
Thousands of Newfoundland Power customers in parts of the Avalon Peninsula and near the Southern Shore experienced an outage early Friday. At around 7: 00 am ET there were 4, 023 customers without power, but by 8: 00 am ET all power had been restored. Admirals Academy and Upper Gullies Elementary in Conception Bay South delayed opening because of the interruption. Glenda Power says the outage that started early Friday was due to an equipment failure.
What Forecasters Say And The Short-Term Outlook
Meteorologist Dale Foote said the low pressure system that began the previous day remained over the west coast and was expected to move across the island throughout Friday. The winter storm warning remains in effect for southeastern Labrador, the west coast and the great Northern Peninsula for today into tonight. Foote cautioned that Burgeo could see up to 100 mm of rain from the system.
Forecasters expect a new pressure system later on Friday to clear the skies. Into the weekend, Saturday is forecast to be a sunny day, but another storm is expected to move through Saturday and Sunday, bringing mainly snow with a bit of blowing snow to eastern and southeastern Newfoundland, including areas from Bonavista to Terranova and Clareville.
Officials and residents are being urged to monitor local updates as the situation evolves and as the morning announcements on school operations are issued.
