UPDATE: Eastern Newfoundland digging out from winter's first big blast

WEATHER

Cindy Day's SaltWire Network Forecast

A blocking Greenland high, a system in retrograde & an offshore low - it's a busy Friday. To find out what all this means for you - this weekend and beyond, click here: https://t.co/XCqngz97yW #weather #snow #sun @SaltWireNetwork @chronicleherald @StJohnsTelegram @PEIGuardian pic.twitter.com/w1UKr52Ifp

— Cindy Day (@CindyDayWeather) January 22, 2021

Environment Canada's public bulletins

CLOSURES, CANCELLATIONS, DELAYED OPENINGS

Northeast Avalon

• Delayed opening Friday morning for City of Mount Pearl's buildings and facilities.

  City buildings and facilities will have a delayed opening tomorrow, Friday, January 22nd. We will provide an update on opening times at 8am. Stay safe!#MountPearl #nlwx

  — City of Mount Pearl (@Mount_Pearl) January 21, 2021

• For updates on provincial government closures, visit gov.nl.ca.

• A reminder that with the storm comes the City of St. John's 24-hour parking ban outside the downtown area

• The Avalon Mall will provide an update Friday morning.

Due to #nlwx

Friday's waste collection for Area 5 (5B recycling) is postponed to:
Monday, Jan. 25, along with Area 1 (1A recycling)

Waste may be collected later than normal on Monday due to the double day.

More details: https://t.co/bIcACW6f5t pic.twitter.com/bSSP4U9Wuz

— Curb It St. John's (@curbitstjohns) January 21, 2021

• The Supreme Court in St. John's will be provided at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 22

• NLC Head Office, Rock Spirits, Distribution Centre and stores in St. John’s, Mount Pearl and C.B.S. will open at 10 a.m.

Due to the forecasted weather, garbage and recycling collection for Friday, January 22nd, has been postponed until Monday, January 25th.#MountPearl #nlwx

— City of Mount Pearl (@Mount_Pearl) January 21, 2021

• Ches Penney Family YMCA in St. John's and YMCA Child Care locations will re-open at 10 a.m.

• Town of Paradise facilities, including the Town Hall and Paradise Double Ice Complex, will close at 1 p.m. Garbage Collection for Areas 4A&B and Recycling Collection for Area 4A are cancelled for Friday, Jan. 22. It will be collected on Monday, Jan. 25. Updates on Town closure and cancellation notices are available at paradise.ca/closures

KEEP THEM CLEAR! Fire hydrants are addressed by staff as resources are available. Snow clearing operations of roads & sidewalks are priority. We ask residents to do their part to keep hydrants accessible. Every second counts in an emergency! https://t.co/QbtgbgHxBz @CBSFireChief pic.twitter.com/jfx9jOZtQ3

— Conception Bay South (@TownofCBS) January 21, 2021

• The Works, including the Aquarena and Field House will re-open at 11 a.m.

• The Paradise and Mount Pearl Green Depots will have a delayed opening 1 p.m.

• Newfoundland Association of the Deaf offices closed for the day.

• The Rooms will have a delayed opening this morning and open to the public at noon. #nlwx #RoomtoReconnect pic.twitter.com/QMWKACGuJy

  — The Rooms (@TheRooms_NL) January 22, 2021

• All Choices For Youth locations have a delayed opening this morning. Locations will reopen at 11 a.m.

• Town of Logy Bay-Middle Cove-Outer Cove facilities closed for the day.

Avalon Peninsula

Off the Avalon

• The Gander Legal Aid NL office is closed this morning due to inclement weather. Update at 11 a.m.

SCHOOLS

Newfoundland and Labrador English School District status report

• St. John’s metro area schools will see a delayed opening of three (3) hours this morning, with bus runs beginning 3 hours later than usual. Some schools have decided to stay closed for the day. Please check the NLESD status report to find your specific school. 

Memorial University

• Due to poor weather, buildings on St. John's campuses will be delayed in opening until 1 p.m. Regularly scheduled on-campus classes and activities and the Childcare Centre will resume at that time.

College of the North Atlantic

• Carbonear campus will be closed for the morning with an update at 11 a.m. regarding the afternoon. Online classes will continue as scheduled.
• Ridge Road (RR) campus in St. John’s will remain closed for the morning. This includes the RR programs at Prince Philip Drive campus. An update will be provided at 11 a.m. for afternoon classes.
• Seal Cove campus will be closed for the morning (Friday, Jan. 22). There will be at update at 11 a.m. regarding the afternoon. All online classes will continue as scheduled.
• Prince Philip Drive campus (including the Child Care Center, ATC and Topsail Road offices) in St. John’s will be closed for the morning with an update at 11 a.m. regarding afternoon classes.

ROAD TRAVEL

N.L. Highway Driving Conditions

Current view of plow activity on parts of the Avalon over the last two hours.

Many highways have snow-covered sections and travel is not recommended.

More info available at the 511 app. #nltraffic pic.twitter.com/ATlcVnAj3S

— Transportation and Infrastructure NL (@TW_GovNL) January 22, 2021

City of St. John's Live Plow Tracker

City of Mount Pearl Plow Tracker

Town of Paradise Live Plow Tracker

Town of Conception Bay South Live Plow Tracker

Provincial Live Plow Tracker

POWER OUTAGES

Newfoundland Power Outage Centre

Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro Outage Map

Outage Update-Fogo Island: We'll begin gradually restoring power for customers at approx. 12:30PM. To avoid overloading the system when power is restored, please wait 10 mins after your power is back on to turn up heat, use hot water, or turn on major appliances and electronics. pic.twitter.com/8vTBXYmla8

— NLHydro (@NLHydro) January 22, 2021

AIR TRAVEL

St. John's International Airport

Gander International Airport

Deer Lake Regional Airport 

Goose Bay Airport

MARINE TRAVEL

Intra-provincial Ferries

*Ferry Remains Docked*
🚨Bell Island Ferry Remains Out Of Service, Storm Conditions(High Wind)causing Legionnaire to be kept tied up on Bell island.Anychange to service will be an update #nltraffic #nlwx @CBCNL @590VOCM @hitsfm @OfficialOZFM @coast1011 @kixxcountry
Update 11am

— ♨£łøӯԃ♨ (@XXPurecountryXX) January 22, 2021

Marine Atlantic Travel Advisory

Environment Canada Marine Forecast

#NLWX REPORT

The Winter Activity Centre in North Bank Lodge at Pippy Park opens for the season 1 pm today (Fri Jan. 22).

Snowshoes & cross-country skis available for rent & adaptive equipment can be pre-booked. Family & adult ski lessons offered.

Details: https://t.co/4SilT24S0a#nlwx pic.twitter.com/5Ntrz1jnPS

— City of St. John's (@CityofStJohns) January 22, 2021

About the kick the feet up after finishing shovelling the driveway... enter the rumble of a passing plow.

...always one step ahead of me. Or, I guess behind me? #nlwx pic.twitter.com/UoDmo9RvW1

— Justin Boudreau (@Isotachtics) January 22, 2021

In David's Attenborough voice
"From our blind we see the wild Snow Thrower.
It's beautiful displays are only seen in the winter months but are worth the wait.
We do not know if they are displays of aggression or are trying to attract a mate. More observation is required" #nlwx pic.twitter.com/vlvi5WmhJF

— Sarah Lundrigan, PhD (@semlund) January 22, 2021

Indy loves the snow but hates that it sticks to her! #nlwx #nl #yyt #havanese pic.twitter.com/cNHRpzBr2p

— Shel🏳️‍🌈🇨🇦☘️ (@kismet_) January 22, 2021

The first snow storm of the year. Not too bad really.#beekeeping #NLbeekeeping #nlwx pic.twitter.com/jISCiocc5F

— Mud Songs (@MudSongs) January 22, 2021

SAFETY

The City of St. John’s recommends the following safety tips:

• Remain off the road if possible, to facilitate snow clearing operations
• Follow local weather forecasts and watch for warnings and advisories
• Emergencies that require assistance from fire, police or ambulance should be directed to 911
• Prepare and maintain an emergency kit — be ready to cope on your own for at least 72 hours
• Ensure you have any medications that are crucial
• Ensure you have a battery-operated portable radio Use flashlights, rather than candles and have a good supply of batteries; if you use candles don’t leave them unattended
• Should you notice downed power lines in your area, do not touch or attempt to move them, call Newfoundland Power immediately at 1-800-474-5711

The St. John’s Regional Fire Department offers the following safety tips in the event of a power outage:

• Electrically connected smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms will not work when the power is out unless they have battery back-ups. Make sure your home has battery-operated smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms. 

• Everyone should know how to get out immediately if there is a fire. Plan and practice your escape plan before emergencies happen. 

• Use flashlights or battery-operated lanterns or glow sticks instead of candles. Keep a fresh supply of batteries on hand. If using candles, place them in a non-combustible holder on a flat surface at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn and out of the reach of pets and children. 

• Propane and charcoal barbecues are for outdoor use only. Do not bring them inside. 

• Purchase generators with recognized approved labels. Make sure the unit has proper 
connection receptacles and circuit breakers. 

• Portable generators should only be used outdoors and carefully located to ensure that 
exhaust fumes do not enter the home. Allow the generator to cool before refueling. Refuel the generator outside, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Store fuel for the generator in approved containers outside the home. 

• Use only portable space heaters that have been designed for indoor use and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Provide adequate ventilation by opening a window slightly while the heater is in use. Before refueling, turn off the heater, wait for it to cool and take the heater outside to refuel. 

• Make sure electric stove elements and small appliances are OFF or unplugged to prevent fires from occurring when the electricity is restored. 

• Cordless phones will not work when the power is out, so it is recommended to have at least one phone that does not require electricity to operate.