ST. JOHN'S, N.L. -- A winter storm hit much of Newfoundland on Friday, the second blast in as many days.
But Environment Canada said the latest storm wasn't expected to be as bad as the one that hit the eastern portion of the island Thursday, which dumped about 45 centimetres on St. John's.
"This is much lighter," said meteorologist Linda Libby.
Still, forecasters warned of wind gusts expected to reach 110 kilometres per hour over the Avalon Peninsula. About 15 to 20 centimetres of snow and strong winds were in the forecast for communities to the west of the peninsula.
School closures were reported in some communities, including Cape Breton, where the storm moved through earlier in the day.
Forecasters are also warning residents of Atlantic Canada to brace for a major storm on Sunday that is expected to bring significant snowfall and strong winds.
Libby said up to 50 centimetres of snow could fall in northern Nova Scotia, the Annapolis Valley and the Moncton area. Prince Edward Island can also expect heavy snowfall, she said.
"Where they could approach the 50 centimetres extends from Bathurst, the Acadian Peninsula and back to the Fredericton area, and right down to the south coast of Nova Scotia, P.E.I. and Cape Breton."
Communities along Nova Scotia's Atlantic coast could receive significant freezing rain as the snow changes to rain on Sunday, she said.
