Snow and heavy winds to hit central, western Newfoundland in Valentine's Day storm

Parts of the island will see a strong winter storm throughout Friday while snow and strong winds continue through Saturday — and it could delay some Valentine's Day plans.

"This is the fourth storm in a row on Feb. 14," said CBC meteorologist Ashley Brauweiler.

"This one won't impact your evening plans in the metro ... but from the Northern Peninsula to Port aux Basques — you're staying in."

Environment Canada has issued a winter storm warning for much of the island, including the west and south coasts, central Newfoundland and northeastern areas between Green Bay and Fogo Island.

Brauweiler expects 10 to 20 centimetres of snow to fall from Thursday evening into early Friday afternoon on the western half of the island.

"Strong northwesterly winds will develop Friday evening with snow or flurries for the west, so blowing snow is expected right through Saturday," she said.

In eastern Newfoundland, she expects 10-15 centimetres of snow, changing to ice pellets and freezing drizzle along the south coast and the Burin and Avalon peninsulas Friday morning.

Brauweiler said that will end as flurries or drizzle by midday Friday.

Eastern Newfoundland is also under a blowing snow advisory, which could bring southeasterly wind gusts between 70 and 80 km/h on top of the snow.

Brauweiler also said snow will likely spread across Labrador with gusty winds into Saturday. Parts of the Labrador coast could see as many as 30 centimetres of snow.

The Happy Valley-Goose Bay area could see between 10 and 20 centimetres, she said, and Labrador West could see between five and 10 centimetres.

Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Sign up for our daily headlines newsletter here. Click here to visit our landing page.