Parts of Atlantic Canada will usher in the new year with a blast of winter weather as blizzard and snowfall warnings have been issued across the region.

The entire province of Nova Scotia is being told to expect blizzard conditions with near-zero visibility on Wednesday night and Thursday as a low-pressure system moves in from the Great Lakes and heads towards the eastern seaboard.

"It's going to be intensifying rather smartly and it will be hanging a sharp turn to the left, northeastwards towards Atlantic Canada," Herb Thoms, a warning preparedness meteorologist with Environment Canada, said from his office in Gander, N.L.

The first light flurries of the storm began falling in southern Nova's Scotia town of Yarmouth early Wednesday afternoon, while the region expected blizzard conditions to set in overnight.

"So, it may not be very nice for the midnight celebrations through the southern half of Nova Scotia anyway," said Thoms.

Snowfall of between 15 and 35 centimetres is expected across the province, according to Environment Canada, although conditions will be worst in Cape Breton. The island is slated to receive up to 45 centimetres by the end of New Year's Day with winds reaching 100 km/h in some areas.

Nova Scotia Power spokeswoman Glennie Langille said crews are ready to spring into action if the storm knocks out power to homes and businesses.

But she said they have to let winds subside to below 90 km/h before they can work.

"When you have blizzard conditions, you have to make sure that we're conducting our business in a safe way," Langille said. "We work in quite adverse conditions, but there are some that can limit our response."

Snowplow operators ready

Steve Smith, spokesman for Nova Scotia's Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal, said the province's snowplow operators are on standby.

"The holiday for everybody else is not necessarily a holiday for them. They have to be able to go when conditions change, and they understand that," Smith said.

Officials at the Halifax airport warn that airlines could start cancelling flights Wednesday night in an effort to keep their planes away from airports affected by severe weather.

Peter Spurway, spokesman for the Halifax International Airport Authority, said travellers should check flight schedules before heading to the airport.

P.E.I. is also expected to receive those powerful winds with 15 to 20 centimetres of snow by Thursday evening. The heaviest snowfalls are expected over Kings County.

Maritime Electric will have full crews on standby Wednesday night and Thursday in case the blizzard damages the island's power grid.

Police expect to be busy

"Anytime we get [winds] over 100 km/h, that's an issue for us … and then depending if there's wet snow and those types of weather conditions," said Kim Griffin, a spokeswoman for Maritime Electric.

A weather warning has also been issued for Moncton and southeast New Brunswick, which will see between five and 20 centimetres of snow and major gusts that will drive temperatures down across the province.

The RCMP there are expecting to have their hands full between the storm and watching for people driving drunk on New Year's Eve.

"Our members will be out and about [looking for] for impaired drivers, as well for stranded motorists, anybody that wants to try and venture out, which we're not recommending," said Cpl. Mike Gaudet.

Snowfall warnings are also in effect for parts of Newfoundland, where about 15 centimetres is expected to fall by Thursday.