Drivers in the Maritimes are being warned to stay off the roads, as rapidly plunging temperatures may cause roads to quickly freeze, while residents in parts of Ontario and Quebec continue to brave bitter cold temperatures.
Environment Canada has issued a flash-freeze warning for parts of Nova Scotia, including Halifax County, where temperatures are forecast to drop rapidly, causing rain water or slush to quickly ice over on roads and sidewalks.
"Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become icy and slippery," the national weather agency said in a statement Sunday afternoon. "Take extra care when walking or driving in affected areas."
Earlier on Sunday, snow, rain and high winds pounded much of the area, causing damage to some buildings and delays for many commuters and travellers.
In Halifax, the bus and ferry service was suspended on Sunday due to the "poor weather and road conditions," a spokesperson for the city's transit agency said in a tweet. Service is expected to resume on Monday.
Travellers flying out of Halifax Stanfield International Airport were also impacted by the storm, as many flights on Sunday were either cancelled or delayed.
In the south end of the city, the roof of the Halifax Curling Club partially collapsed under the weight of the snow Sunday morning, Halifax Regional Police said.
There have been no reports of injuries, and police say the building appeared to have been empty at the time.
Drivers in other parts of eastern Canada are also being warned to stay off the roads, as whiteout conditions are being reported in Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick.
The RCMP in New Brunswick have closed a number of roads and highways as much of the province remains under a blizzard warning.
There were also traffic restrictions on the Confederation Bridge that links P.E.I to New Brunswick due to high winds. A travel advisory prohibited certain vehicles, including buses and tractor trailers, from crossing the bridge until further notice.
Meanwhile, in Moncton and the surrounding area, Environment Canada says an intense low-pressure system is expected to bring up to 10 centimetres of snow by Sunday night. As of 3 p.m. local time, the national weather agency said approximately 30 cm of snow had already blanketed the area.
Ontario and Quebec
West of the region, winter's icy grip appears to be holding strong, as large swaths of Ontario and Quebec remain under an extreme cold warning.
"Bitterly cold arctic air combined with gusty north winds is resulting in extreme wind chill values of minus 30 to minus 35," Environment Canada said in a statement. "People outdoors should exercise caution in this hazardous situation. Frostbite on exposed skin may occur in just a few minutes."
Several Ontario cities experienced record lows, including Windsor, Waterloo and Hamilton. Windchills in the Toronto area reached the low -40s.
The cold snap is expected to last until Monday morning in parts of the region.
Meanwhile on the West Coast, residents have been enjoying a relatively warm and dry weekend.
In Vancouver, the mercury is expected to peak at 11 C on Sunday. Environment Canada says temperatures are expected to remain in the double digits until at Tuesday, when the daytime high is expected to be 10 C.
