Hazardous roads close schools, strand drivers as 2nd storm in a week hits

Many schools and businesses were closed again Thursday, some drivers were stranded and major highways worsened throughout the day as another storm hit New Brunswick.

Environment Canada issued a winter storm warning for southern, central and eastern New Brunswick and a special weather statement for the rest of the province. Saint John and Monctonare getting the worst of it.

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in the afternoon, New Brunswick's Emergency Measures Organization issued a travel advisory for the following roads.

• Route 1from St. Stephen to River Glade, Route 2from exit 451 Mountain Roadto the Nova Scotia border
• Route 7from Saint John to Petersville Hill
• Route 11 fromMoncton to Richibucto
• Route 15
• Route 16

Schools in the Anglophone South and Anglophone East school districts were closed.

Schools in the Anglophone North School District were closed with the exception of schools in the Campbellton and Dalhousie areas.

New Brunswick hit with more snow Thursday

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Total snowfall amounts could hit 30 cm Thursday with northwest winds gusting to 80 km/h in the southeast.

The Anglophone West School District closed all schools in zones five to nine, which include:

• Stanley, Boiestown, Doaktown
• Greater Fredericton Area (including New Maryland, Keswick Ridge, Nashwaak Valley)
• Oromocto, Geary, Burton, Lincoln, Fredericton Junction
• Chipman, Minto
• Cambridge Narrows, Gagetown

The University of Monctondid not openThursday and Mount Allison University was closed until 12:30 p.m.

The University of New Brunswick's Saint John campus was closed in the morning.

Transit in Saint John has been pulled off the roads for the rest of the day. Monctonalso pulled its buses off the road because of severe weather.

BrennanAllen, aCBC meteorologist, said the snow would be heaviest Thursdayafternoon.

"The bulk of the falling snow will occur in New Brunswick, eastern Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island into the afternoon hours, when additional accumulations of 10 to 20 centimetres are expected," he said.

Norman Clouston, the general manager for the MRDC Operations Corp., said the Trans-Canada Highway said the highway between Longs Creek and Moncton is snow-covered, and visibility is worsening as winds start to pick up. Travel isn't advised.

Felicia Murphy, spokespersonfor Brun-Way Highway Operations, which maintains the Trans-Canada between Longs Creek and the Quebec border, said conditions were good on the highway from the Quebec border to Grand Falls, with little snow.

"There could be some slippery spots," said Murphy.

But from Grand Falls to Longs Creek, thehighway was snow-covered. Visibility was fair but blowing snow andreduced visibility were expected throughout the day.

"It's going to get worse before it gets better," Murphy said.

Travellers are also advised to check flights as somehave been cancelled or delayed at airports throughout the province.

JulesMichaud,executive director ofoperations with New Brunswick's Department of Transportation and Infrastructure, says road advisories are implemented to encouragepeople tostay off the highways today.

He said vehicles were already been stranded this morning along Route 1, between St. Stephen and Saint John.

When cars get on the roads, it hampers operations and makes it difficult to plow the highways, increasing the risk to both the public and operators.

"If you don't have to travel, stay put and make alternate plans," he said.

The department has also received several complaints from the public about slow-going plows in storms.

"There's a reason for that," he said. "Anything over 50 km/h just is not safe for the plower or the travelling public. Please don't try to pass them."

Environment Canada also warned of "hazardous winter conditions."

"Snow and blowing snow associated with this feature will continue to spread northward this morning and persist into the evening."

"Total snowfall accumulation between 15 and 30 cm is expected with highest amounts over southeastern regions by this evening."

Allen said strong northwest windswill accompany the snow with gusts of up to 80 km/h continuing overnight, especially in the southeast.

He expects blowing snow to cause reduced visibility and dangerous driving conditions.

"Mostly cloudy skies and flurries will persist through the overnight and into Friday, with the exception being western and southwestern New Brunswick, where skies will clear to a mix of sun and cloud late in the day," he said.

"Northwest winds will not be in a hurry to leave the region, particularly in eastern New Brunswick...keeping the risk of localized blowing snow high until Saturday.

The weekend looks calm with mild temperatures that could climb above the freezing mark.

New Brunswick forecast

Northern New Brunswick

Today: Snow and blowing snow with 10 to 15 cm of accumulation expected, except 5 cm in the northwest. Winds will be from the north at 40 km/h, gusting to 70 km/h and a high of4 C.

Tonight: Skies will be mostly cloudy with a chance of flurries and blowing snow. Winds will be from the northwest at 20 km/h, gusting to 40 km/h with a low of7 C.

Friday: It will be partly cloudy with a chance of flurries and a high near 3 C.

Fredericton and area

Today: Snow and blowing snow with accumulations of 5 to 10 cm. Winds will be from the northwest at 30 km/h, gusting to 60 km/h with a high near 4 C.

Tonight: It will be mostly cloudy with flurries and blowing snow. Winds will be from the northwest at 30 km/h, gusting to 50 km/h with a low of 5 C.

Friday: Expect a partly cloudy day with a high near1 C.

Southern New Brunswick

Today: Snow and blowing snow with accumulations between 15 cm and 20 cm, except 10 cm to 15 cm in the southwest. Winds will be from the northwest at 40 km/h, gusting to 70 km/h with a high of 2 C.

Tonight: Expect light snow and blowing snow except mostly cloudy with a chance of flurries in the southwest. Winds will be from the northwest at 30 km/h, gusting to 60 km/h with a low of 5 C.

Friday: It will be partly cloudy and windy with a chance of flurriesand a high of 1 C.