Labrador hit by squalls, as Newfoundland braces for messy mix on Friday night

Snowfall warnings are in effect for several parts of Labrador Thursday morning, along with snow squall watches for areas of Newfoundland.

People in eastern Newfoundland are being warned about messy weather coming Friday night, as Environment Canada hasa special weather statement in effectforecasting snow or rain.

Precipitation will start Friday afternoon over the south coast as alow pressure system crosses the Avalon peninsula.

It's likely to start as snow or a mix of rain and snow over most areas, but should quickly turn to rain between 10 and 20 millimetres expected over the Avalon and Burin peninsulas as temperatures warm in the evening. Tento 15 centimetres of snowfall is expected to the west, and things are set to clear up early Saturday.

• Storm Centre: Labrador closures and cancellations
• Storm Centre: Eastern Newfoundland closures and cancellations

A number of schools in central Newfoundland, the Burin peninsula area and Labrador are closed with updates later in the morning due to poor weather and slippery road conditions.

Morning crossings between North Sydney and Port aux Basques for Marine Atlantic are cancelled, rescheduled to Thursday night, weather permitting.

Snowy start in Labrador

The areas surrounding Churchill Falls, the Churchill valley, Hopedale, Labrador City, Wabush and Nainare under snowfall warnings Thursday as a significant amount is forecast.

Snow is expected to taper off over the course of the day, but gusty winds are set to blow the fresh snowfall and reduce visibility at times, particularly over exposed areas.

Western Labrador is due another fivecentimetres of snow before it eases Thursday morning. Ten to 15 centimetres of snow will fall over northern Labrador before it lightens in the afternoon.

According to Environment Canada's warning, visibility may be reduced and highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may be difficult to navigate during times of heavy snow.

Hazardous travel

A snow squall watch is in effect for Gros Morne, Parson's Pond - Hawke's Bay and Port Saunders and the Straits.

Visibility will be significantly reduced due to heavy snow, down to zero at some points, and snow will quickly accumulate according to Environment Canada.

Squalls forming over the Gulf of St. Lawrence lateThursday afternoon are forecast to go onshore over the Northern peninsula in the evening, with winds gusting up to 90 km/h.

Travel may be hazardous as a result, but conditions should improve Friday as the squalls slowly weaken and become less frequent.