Ferry service between Newfoundland and Nova Scotia was halted Tuesday as heavy pack ice in Sydney Harbour prevented both the M.V. Caribou and the Leif Ericson from offloading passengers in North Sydney.

The Ericson arrived in North Sydney Monday, and is tied up at what is known as a "layup dock" on Marine Atlantic property, a Marine Atlantic spokesman said Tuesday.

But passengers and their vehicles are stuck aboard the ship until the storm-force northerly winds in the Cabot Strait change direction, and pushes the ice away from the main dock. The Caribou is waiting just outside Sydney harbour until ice conditions improve.

Cape Breton Island was being battered Tuesday by snow and high winds causing treacherous driving, power outages and flight cancellations.

RCMP Cpl. Ron MacDonald said drivers in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality are being faced with hazardous conditions.

"The main problem now is the blowing snow," he said.

"With the high winds, especially in the open areas, the snow that is coming down and that has come down, is blowing straight across the road creating very reduced visibility,and in some places I would have to say its down to about 100 metres."

Extreme white-out conditions closed the Sydney Port access road, and police are advising people to stay off the roads.

Schools were closed by the snow and blowing snow, including Cape Breton University and Nova Scotia Community College.

Nova Scotia Power Inc. reported power outages at Fortress Louisbourg and in Richmond County — Isle Madame, Port Malcolm and Whiteside — where the wind blew trees onto power lines.

Flights out of Sydney airport were cancelled as well.