RCMP urged drivers to stay off roads in western Newfoundland Friday morning, as a storm swept in with high winds, freezing rain and snow.

High winds and snow were the key components of a storm that swept into Newfoundland and Labrador on Friday morning. (Beth Macdonell/CBC)

Zero visibility and whiteouts prompted police to plead with drivers in the Corner Brook and Deer Lake areas to avoid travel that is not essential. Slippery conditions were reported on other highways, including the Avalon Peninsula.

Many schools across Newfoundland, from Cow Head to St. John's, closed for at least the morning, as officials worried about icy road conditions and visibility on roads during morning commutes.

Memorial University closed its main campus in St. John's for the morning, as well as its Marine Institute campus. The College of the North Atlantic closed many of its campuses in eastern and central Newfoundland.

The storm will be harsh, but is not expected to last long, Environment Canada said. In eastern Newfoundland, much of the storm will have passed by midday.

Winds topping more than 100 km/h will brace much of the island as the storm pushes into the island and then heads to Labrador.

Snowfall amounts from the storm will vary widely. In the Trepassey area, for instance, just three centimetres are expected to fall, while as much as 29 centimetres could fall in the Labrador community of Cartwright by Saturday night.