News

A powerful winter storm has brought blizzard conditions to Newfoundland’s Avalon Peninsula, leaving thousands without power and disrupting services across the region. Heavy snow and strong winds began pummeling the area on Sunday, causing widespread outages and prompting authorities to urge residents to stay home.

The storm’s impact is being felt across the Avalon Peninsula, with Newfoundland Power reporting nearly 1,500 customers in Kelligrews without electricity, and hundreds more affected in other communities. Earlier outages impacted Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s and the Burin Peninsula, but power has reportedly been restored to those areas. Crews are working to restore service where safe, but impassable roads are hindering progress, according to the utility.

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) warned of treacherous road conditions, stating, “Crews are working to clear the roads but are experiencing whiteout conditions due to strong winds. If you don’t require to be out, we suggest staying inside until conditions improve.” The City of St. John’s has closed sections of Cochrane Pond Road and roads in the Galway area due to drifting snow and reduced visibility.

The RCMP echoed the call for residents to avoid travel, citing poor road conditions across the island. Several watch parties for the Olympic gold medal hockey game were cancelled as a result of the severe weather.

Power Outages and Service Disruptions

As of Sunday, over 200 customers on Salmonier Line and almost 500 in Heart’s Content-Recent Perlican were without power. The Urgent Care Centre on Stavanger Drive in St. John’s was forced to close for the remainder of the day due to the storm. Recreation facilities in St. John’s, Mount Pearl, and Conception Bay South are also closed.

Public transportation has been significantly impacted, with Metrobus and GoBus services cancelled for the rest of the day. Residents are advised to check the Newfoundland Power outage centre for updates on restoration efforts.

Weather Forecast and Warnings

Environment Canada meteorologist Veronica Sullivan told CBC News that the snow is expected to continue throughout the day, with gradual improvement. The Avalon Peninsula can expect an additional 15 centimeters of snow, on top of the 30 centimeters already reported in stations in Paradise and 15 centimeters at the St. John’s Airport.

Winds are also a major concern, with gusts ranging from 80 to 100 km/h, significantly reducing visibility. Environment Canada has issued an orange winter storm warning for the southeastern portion of the Avalon Peninsula, forecasting another 10 to 15 centimeters of snow and continued high winds. Wind warnings are also in effect for the metro region, the northern Avalon Peninsula, Bonavista, the Clarenville area, Terra Nova, and Channel-Port Aux Basque, with gusts up to 100 km/h expected. Conditions in Channel-Port Aux Basque could last until Tuesday morning.

Blowing snow advisories extend from Grand Falls-Windsor down to the Avalon Peninsula. The Green Bay-White Bay region is under a winter storm warning, with 2 to 4 centimeters of snow expected. Southwestern Newfoundland is also experiencing wind warnings, with gusts up to 100 km/h, though snowfall is expected to be minimal in that area.

What to Expect Next

As conditions persist, residents are urged to secure outdoor items, prepare for prolonged power outages, and keep mobile devices charged. The situation remains dynamic, and further updates will be provided as they become available. The focus will be on restoring power and clearing roadways as conditions allow.

Stay informed about the evolving weather situation and any further service disruptions. Share this information with your community and stay safe.

SAN FRANCISCO – The Golden State Warriors are facing a mounting injury crisis as they prepare to face the Denver Nuggets on Sunday, with Draymond Green the latest addition to the team’s growing list of unavailable players. Green was ruled out shortly before tip-off due to back soreness, further depleting a roster already missing key contributors.

This news comes on the heels of earlier announcements that Kristaps Porzingis will sit out the game with an illness, joining Stephen Curry (knee) and Jimmy Butler (season-ending ACL tear) on the sidelines. The Warriors’ injury woes have dramatically altered their championship aspirations this season, and the team is now heavily reliant on players further down the depth chart.

The combined financial impact of the injuries to Curry, Butler, Porzingis, and Green is significant, totaling $170 million in salaries for the 2025-26 season, according to team payroll information. The situation presents a major challenge for coach Steve Kerr as he attempts to navigate a challenging schedule against a formidable opponent.

The Nuggets, meanwhile, will be without Aaron Gordon, Peyton Watson, and Jalen Pickett, but are expected to have Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic available. This disparity in available talent means the Warriors will be relying heavily on Moses Moody, who at $11.6 million for the 2025-26 season, is currently the team’s highest-paid healthy player. Expect Moody and Gui Santos to shoulder a significant offensive burden.

Warriors Roster Thinning at a Critical Time

With only nine players available, the Warriors’ depth is severely tested. The starting lineup will consist of Pat Spencer, De’Anthony Melton, Moses Moody, Gui Santos, and Al Horford. The reserves include Gary Payton II, Brandin Podziemski, Will Richard, and Quinten Post. The team’s limited options make a competitive showing against the Nuggets, who recently defeated the Portland Trail Blazers by a staggering 54 points on Friday, a considerable challenge.

Kerr Addresses Green’s Role and Curry’s Absence

The timing of Green’s absence is particularly noteworthy given recent discussions about his evolving role in the absence of Curry. Coach Steve Kerr acknowledged the difficulty of playing without Curry, emphasizing the long-standing rapport between the two stars. “The two-man game with those two guys have been our bread and butter, and when Steph goes out, it really changes everything in terms of how defenses guard us, and it impacts Draymond probably more than anybody,” Kerr said after Friday’s practice.

Kerr has indicated that Green’s minutes will likely be managed, and that the team may experiment with different closing lineups, potentially featuring Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis alongside Green when Curry returns. Green himself has reportedly accepted this adjusted role, demonstrating a willingness to adapt to the team’s needs.

Impact on Warriors’ Playoff Hopes

The Warriors’ current predicament casts a long shadow over their playoff hopes. The loss of Butler for the season due to an ACL injury, followed by Curry’s knee issue and now Green’s back soreness, has significantly hampered their ability to compete at a high level. The team’s performance in Curry’s absence has been underwhelming, with a 2-5 record since he left the game against Detroit in January.

The Nuggets game represents a crucial test for the Warriors, and a loss could further jeopardize their position in the Western Conference standings. The team will necessitate a collective effort from its remaining players to overcome the odds and secure a victory.

What to Watch For

Looking ahead, the Warriors will be closely monitoring Curry’s recovery and Porzingis’s health. Curry is expected to return sometime next month, but there is no firm timeline for his return. The team will also need to assess Green’s condition and determine when he will be able to return to the lineup. The Warriors’ ability to weather this storm and remain competitive will depend on their resilience and their ability to find solutions in the face of adversity.

Share your thoughts on the Warriors’ injury situation in the comments below, and be sure to share this article with fellow basketball fans.