Massive storm hits Newfoundland

People in Newfoundland are being battered by the third winter storm in one week.

Environment Canada upgraded storm warning to blizzard warnings in some parts of the province. Herb Thoms, a weather forecaster with the agency, said the east coast and central Newfoundland could expect as much as 60 centimetres of snow in the next 24 hours.

Heavy snow started falling in the St. John's area Monday afternoon, causing poor visibility. Driving conditions became difficult because of congestion on the city's streets as many people left work early to get ahead of the storm.

Schools in the St. John's area closed two hours early. Memorial University closed at 5 p.m. NT as well as cancelling evening classes. The city's recreational facilities were also closed for the evening and Metrobus, the city's public transit system, shut down an hour later.

The blizzard comes as people across the island dig out from a storm on Sunday, and a two-day blizzard on Thursday and Friday, when more than 50 centimetres of snow fell in parts of central Newfoundland, shutting down entire communities.