HALIFAX -- Much of Newfoundland remained under weather warnings after a major winter storm blew through parts of Atlantic Canada Monday, creating whiteout conditions in many areas.

The storm moved into the Maritimes overnight Sunday, heading west to east, and it was forecast to continue into Newfoundland later in the day.

Environment Canada said some parts of Newfoundland could get anywhere from 20 to 35 centimetres of snow, with winds expected to reach up to 100 kilometres an hour.

Snowy conditions could last until Tuesday across the Island, the agency said.

Environment Canada meteorologist Samantha Roch said Nova Scotia had received 25 to 35 centimetres of snow by 4 a.m. with another 10 to 15 centimetres expected in central and northern areas of the province. She said eastern Nova Scotia and Cape Breton could expect another 20 to 30 centimetres before the snow tapers off by early afternoon.

Prince Edward Island received about 20 centimetres, and Roch said the province could expect another 10 before the snow stopped falling later in the day.

Provincial government offices in Nova Scotia were closed Monday because of the heavy snowfall. Halifax shut down public transit services at 7 p.m. on Sunday, and bus service in was expected to be delayed until at least 3 p.m. Monday, while ferry service resumed at noon.

Most health facilities in Nova Scotia were open despite the storm, but some COVID-19 assessment centres were closed or opened late. All Halifax Regional Centre for Education schools were closed as well as Dalhousie University's Halifax and Truro campuses and Saint Mary's University.

Meanwhile, New Brunswick also got hit with the wintry weather, which caused all schools in the Anglophone South and Anglophone East school districts to close for the day.

The weather conditions also forced Canada Post to suspend delivery service to Saint John, N.B., Monday morning and across P.E.I and Nova Scotia, as well.

In P.E.I, public schools closed across the province. Many schools in the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District, including those in the metro St. John's area, were also closed.

And due to the adverse weather across the Cabot Strait, Marine Atlantic cancelled its day and night crossings between North Sydney, N.S., and Port aux Basques, N.L.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 8, 2021.