Windy winter storm hits Newfoundland

ST. JOHN'S, Newfoundland, Feb. 4 (UPI) -- High winds and blowing snow in eastern Newfoundland Saturday, and parts of Labrador canceled flights and caused hazardous driving conditions, officials said.

The storm was not expected to produce much snow but blizzard warnings were in effect because of winds as high as nearly 75 mph, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported.

The worst of the storm had passed over St. John's and the rest of the Avalon Peninsula by midday Saturday but blizzard warnings remained in effect for the Bonavista Peninsula and some parts of Newfoundland's northeast coast.

Visibility has been significantly reduced, Marshall Hawkins of Environment Canada's weather office in Gander told the CBC.

The winds blew light snow from the week's previous storms, and authorities warned of drifting.

The weather prompted some cancellations at St. John's International Airport and some ferries serving Bell Island in Conception Bay remained tied up.

Authorities urged motorists to exercise caution.