An ongoing blast of fierce winter weather closed schools in various parts of Newfoundland and Labrador on Tuesday, with power also knocked out in several communities.

Dozens of schools across the province were closed, road warnings were issued and blizzard-like conditions shut down numerous services in western Newfoundland and central Labrador.

Electricity was cut off on Newfoundland's west and southwest coasts, in such communities as Rose Blanche and Lark Harbour. Outages were also reported on the tip of the Northern Peninsula.

The Department of Transportation and Works urged drivers to stay off highways in storm-bound areas because of poor visibility.

Memorial University's Grenfell campus in Corner Brook closed.

Marine Atlantic tied up its ferry service on the Gulf of St. Lawrence, continuing a weather-related disruption that started on Sunday. Many of the provincial government's ferries were also out of service as commuters waited for the storm to pass.

Wild weather extended east

In Gander, several buildings were damaged by the high winds. The Albatross Hotel had part of its roof peeled back like an onion skin. The Gander Arts and Culture Centre and two apartment buildings lost large sections of siding.

Harsh weather also struck the Avalon Peninsula in the east, with many rural schools closing for the day.

In central Labrador, Monday's blizzard meant continued closures for schools and offices. The air base in Happy Valley-Goose Bay told non-essential staff to stay home until at least 10 a.m.

Much of Labrador remained under storm or blizzard watches.