ST. JOHN’S, N.L. – It could be days before Newfoundland’s capital city is unearthed after a brutal winter storm that brought St. John’s to a virtual standstill, knocked out power across the island and shut down its busiest airport.

Schools and government offices were closed Friday in St. John’s, which was among the areas hit hardest. The airport recorded wind gusts of more than 100 kilometres an hour and 48 centimetres of snow before it changed to freezing drizzle in the afternoon.

Snow continued to fall in the northwest Avalon Peninsula after it turned to rain in St. John’s, but Environment Canada said amounts wouldn’t approach the 80 centimetres originally predicted.

“This system did have a big punch, very strong winds with it and a good amount of snow,” Environment Canada meteorologist Herb Thoms said from Gander, which received 24 centimetres. Continue…