UPDATED: Weather warnings continue across the province

Extremely heavy winds and snow are forecast for much of the province on Sunday and Monday, with gusts in the Wreckhouse area expected to reach category 3 hurricane strength.

According to information from Environment Canada as of 4 p.m. Sunday, southeasterly winds are expected to peak at 180 kilometres per hour (km/hr) in the Channel-Port aux Basques area. According to the United State’s National Hurricane Center (NHC), winds above 178 km/hr fit in category 3 of the hurricane wind scale, which has a range of 1-5.

The NHC website says such winds can cause major damage to homes and uproot or snap shallowly rooted trees. Power outages may also occur, according to the website.

High waves and pounding surf from Port aux Basques to Cape Race may damage coastal infrastructure, according to Environment Canada.

Western and central Newfoundland along with the Bonavista Peninsula are due to receive 15-25 centimetres of snow Sunday night, with the heaviest amounts of snowfall expected along the west coast.

Strong winds will reduce visibility, and snow is expected to briefly change to rain in eastern areas before changing back to snow.

The Avalon, Bonavista and Burin peninsulas are subject to a wind warning that forecasts winds gusting from 110-130 km/hr Sunday night. The wind warning also applies to the Clarenville area, Gros Morne, Port Saunders and The Straits, and from Parson’s Pond to Hawke’s Bay.

In parts of Labrador, 15-30 centimetres of snow is forecast through to Monday afternoon, with winds gusting from 80-100 km/hr. Blowing snow will likely reduce visibility on Monday.

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(Earlier story)

Environment Canada has put the island under several weather warnings.

A wind warning has been issued for St. John’s and vicinity, Avalon Peninsula north, Avalon Peninsula southeast, Avalon Peninsula southwest, Clarenville and vicinity, Bonavista Peninsula, Burin Peninsula, Connaigre, Bay St. George, Corner Brook and vicinity, Gros Morne, Parson’s Pond - Hawke’s Bay.

Easterly winds gusting between 100 and 120 km/h are expected Sunday afternoon and evening.

 Potentially damaging winds are expected for this region.

A Wreckhouse wind warning has been issued for Channel-Port aux Basques and vicinity.

Southeasterly winds gusting up to 100 km/h are expected Sunday morning and up to 150 km/h Sunday afternoon and evening.

Winter storm warnings have been issued for Green Bay - White Bay, Buchans and the interior, Burgeo - Ramea, Channel - Port aux Basques and vicinity, Deer Lake - Humber Valley.

Very strong winds, significant snowfall and reduced visibility in blowing snow is expected Sunday afternoon and Sunday night. Dangerous winter conditions are expected in these regions.

There is also a winter storm watch for Clarenville and vicinity, Bonavista Peninsula, Terra Nova, Gander and vicinity, Bonavista North, Bay of Exploits, Grand Falls-Windsor and vicinity, Burin Peninsula, Connaigre, Bay St. George, Corner Brook and vicinity, Gros Morne, Northern Peninsula east.

Potentially significant snowfall, strong winds and reduced visibility are expected Sunday night.

Parts of Labrador are also under a winter storm watch including Norman Bay to Lodge Bay and Red Bay to L’anse-au-Clear.

Snow, high winds and blowing snow are expected overnight and Sunday and will persist into Monday.