Winter arrives early in central Newfoundland, with 1st major snowfall of the season

Newfoundland's first major snowfall of the season started causing problems early Wednesday morning, keeping schools closed and causing slow and sloppy highway conditions in central parts of the island.

Gander had over27 centimetres of snow on the ground as of 7 a.m., according to Environment Canada meteorologist Rodney Barney, with plows in the town out before dawn clearing parking lots.

A swath of central Newfoundlandstretching from Ganderthrough the Terra Nova area, Clarenvilleand up through the Bonavista Peninsula remainedunder a snowfall warning, with snowtapering off into flurries by mid-morning.

Environment Canada also issued a special weather statement for the Bay of Exploits and Grand Falls-Windsor areas, warning of up to four centimetres more of snowcombined with strong winds making for a slow morning commute.

Many schools in central Newfoundland delayed opening Wednesday morning.

With the first snowfall came the opportunity for those with snowblowers to get their machines up and running ahead of a full-on winter. Some also experienced their first hiccups.

Jeff White, who manages Gander Repair Shop, told CBC Radio's On The Go he had a busy morning with repairs.

"We're into Friday afternoon now before we can get them [all] picked up," White said.

"It's usually the first one. It catches people off guard, and where your snowblower has most likely been laid up since lastMarch or April, most people just don't have them tuned up."

White said it will be early next week before his shop clears its backlog of repairs.

Read morefrom CBC Newfoundland and Labrador