Most areas in the Atlantic provinces were under winter storm and snowfall warnings as the first snowstorm of the year brought heavy, wet snow and ice pellets.
Severe snowstorm hits East Coast2:48
Heavy snowfall caused dangerous road conditions. At one point, the Nova Scotia Department of Transportation was forced to partially shut down the Trans-Canada Highway, Highway 104, connecting Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, but it has reopened.
The storm knocked out power to thousands in Nova Scotia. At one point, more than 12, 000 Nova Scotia Power customers were affected.
The weather has forced Marine Atlantic to suspend ferry service between Cape Breton and Port aux Basques, N.L. Bay Ferries has also cancelled today's runs between Digby, N.S., and Saint John.
Many schools and businesses across Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and P.E.I. are closed today.
Lots of snow, blowing snow
The low pressure system responsible for the storm will continue to move across the Maritime provinces today, according to Environment Canada. The heavy snow will change over to rain showers along the Atlantic Coast of Nova Scotia this morning. Then, cold air will move back in bringing flurries with it for the three Maritime provinces.
Most of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick can expect 15 to 25 centimetres of snow today, however as much as 30 centimetres could fall in the northeastern part of Nova Scotia and Cape Breton. High winds gusting between 50 km/h and 90 km/h will blow the snow around, making visibility difficult.
Storm surge warnings are also in place for all of P.E.I., eastern New Brunswick and Inverness County, N.S. Storm surges pose a risk for coastal flooding in those areas.
The southwest part of Nova Scotia, as well as Grand Falls, Edmundston and Woodstock, N.B., are getting off relatively easy with no weather warnings in place.
Warnings still in effect for N.L.
After slamming the Maritimes, the storm will move on to Newfoundland and Labrador. The west coast of Newfoundland and the east coast of Labrador seem to be in for the worst of the winter weather, according to Environment Canada.
Those areas can expect between five centimetres and 20 centimetres. Strong northeasterly winds gusting between 80 km/h and 110 km/h are going to be a big problem for visibility right across Newfoundland and Labrador.
Adam Cooke