Blanket of snow falls on western, central areas of Newfoundland

Just a week after drivers in Newfoundland and Labrador were allowed to put on their studded winter tires, Environment Canada warned of significant snow and poor driving conditions in some parts of the province.

Parts of western and central Newfoundland were under snowfalls warnings Friday, with forecasts predicting between 15 and 25 centimetres of snow to blanket those regions throughout the day.

"We're into that time of year where elevation and proximity of the coast really has an impact on snow amounts," said Rob Carroll, a meteorologist at the Gander weather office.

By 6 p.m., it wasn't clear how much snow had fallen but roads were slippery and visibility was reduced, particularly around Corner Brook, with a couple of motor vehicle collisions reported as well.  

The snow was set to taper off in the evening, with a few flurries forecast Saturday for the west coast but sun for most of central. 

The highest amount of snow was expected to fall from Badger to Buchans, northern sections of the Burgeo highway, Green Bay-White Bay, and high-elevation areas between Deer Lake, Corner Brook and Gros Morne. 

Environment Canada said areas closer to the coast and in lower-lying areas through the Humber Valley were likely to see much lower amounts, and the snow missed Labrador, the Northern Peninsula and eastern portion of the island. 

Carroll said wind speed wouldn't be much of a factor on Newfoundland's west coast, but higher wind speeds and about 40 millimetres of rain were expected to cover central N.L., tapering off as it moved east.   

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