Accidents mounting, roads treacherous warn RCMP

UPDATE: The Trinity Conception RCMP is warning that driving conditions are treacherous in the area with five major vehicle collisions already — inlcuding vehicle rollovers and vehicles sliding into ditches.

No major injuries have been reported.

The RCMP says travel is not recommended in the area unless an absolute emergency.

According to the latest from Environment Canada for tonight in the St. John's area: snow ending this evening then clearing. Amount 5 cm. Blowing snow over exposed areas late this evening and overnight. Wind becoming northwest 30 km/h gusting to 50 this evening. Low minus 14. Cold wind chill minus 25 overnight.

Saturday, mainly sunny. Increasing cloudiness in the afternoon then a few flurries. Blowing snow over exposed areas. Wind northwest 30 km/h gusting to 50 becoming west 40 gusting to 60 in the afternoon. High minus 8.

• Due to road and weather conditions, GoBus Accessible Transit is currently experiencing delays.

•••

(Earlier story)

The RCMP is advising that roads in the area of Veterans Memorial Highway, and areas of Trinity and Conception bays, and the Placentia area are snow covered and slippery.

The RCMP is advising motorists to use extreme caution in the area. Two rollover accidents have been reported by RCMP Placentia District and minor accidents reported in other areas.

Snow is forecast today for many parts of the island, including the Avalon, Bonavista and Burin Peninsulas.

In the St. John's area about five cms is forecast, with temperatures falling this afternoon to about minus 9 Celsius. Tonight, a further five cms of snow is forecast, with blowing snow over exposed areas. The low tonight is expected to be minus 14 Celsius. The wind chil value is expected to be around minus 25 Celsius.

Sunshine is in the forecast for Saturday with temperutres rising to about minus six Celsius.

Extreme wind chill values of minus 35 to 40 Celsius are reported today on the Northern Peninsula with the wind chill in Labrador even lower, at about minus 45 to 50 Celsius.