A day-long storm in eastern Newfoundland that failed to drop its forecasted snow on Thursday more than compensated for its force on Friday, shutting down schools and public services.

Many of the schools in eastern Newfoundland closed for at least the morning as the storm brought heavy, wet snow that put an icy and often dangerous sheen on some roads.

Driving conditions were reported as treacherous across much of the Avalon Peninsula, including around the St. John's area.

"It's very, very slippery out there this morning," said CBC News reporter Cecil Haire, adding that cars had been sliding off roads.

The storm on Thursday pounded some communities in its broad path, but by and large fizzled out in the metro St. John's area, where only five centimetres of snow fell during the course of the day.

But the storm picked up new strength overnight, and dropped more than 15 cm of snow by Thursday morning.

Memorial University and several regional campuses of the College of the North Atlantic also closed for at least the morning.

Delays are reported at St. John's International Airport, where a strike of maintenance workers that began in September has hampered the airport's ability to keep runways clear.