Following the first white Christmas in years, Prince Edward Islanders are being struck by the third winter storm in a week.

'I'm sure they'll be whiteout conditions, especially in open areas, which is most of P.E.I.'— Chris Fogerty, Environment Canada

At 3 p.m. Wednesday Environment Canada was forecasting a further 10 centimetres of snow. Winds began to blow harder Wednesday afternoon.

They'll probably be gusting up to 80 kilometres an hour. With all the fresh snow down I'm sure they'll be whiteout conditions, especially in open areas, which is most of P.E.I.," said Chris Fogerty at the Maritime weather office in Dartmouth.

The snow is quickly piling up in Charlottetown, with the forecast calling for a further 10 centimetres Wednesday.
(Kevin Yarr/CBC)

The provincial Department of Transportation is warning people off the roads due to poor visibility.

About 22 centimetres had fallen in Charlottetown at mid-afternoon. Summerside was faring much worse, with 32 centimetres reported. The storm brought a rare show of lightning at about 6 a.m.

The worst part of the snow should end between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m., with winds tapering off around midnight.

Businesses closing

The storm has closed daycares across P.E.I. Islanders looking to work off pounds gained over the holidays will have to wait another day, as many fitness centres are also closed.

At the Charlottetown Airport, the first flight of the day was cancelled, and there are other cancellations as well. Officials are recommending travellers call ahead.

The Confederation Bridge is open.

Most of the snow that fell on P.E.I. in early December melted during a mild Christmas Eve, but the snow returned Dec. 27. Thirty centimetres had been predicted for that storm, but only about 10 fell. Mother Nature compensated for that on New Year's Eve, bringing 32 centimetres of snow when only about 15 had been forecast.

Fogerty said there is no further snow forecast in the coming days, but there will be colder temperatures.