Winter storm batters Eastern and Central Canada

Much of Eastern and Central Canada is being battered by a fierce winter storm that’s bringing icy cold winds and could dump as much as 50 centimetres of snow in some regions.

In the Maritimes, New Brunswick is bracing for the brunt of it, with 30 to 50 centimetres of snow expected today for northern parts of the province, and 15 to 30 centimetres expected in the southern parts.

READ MORE: Atlantic Canada braces for winter weather, N.B. to receive brunt of storm

Environment Canada says the snow will change over to ice pellets and freezing rain this afternoon or evening, then to rain tonight over southern and central parts of the province.

WATCH: Montreal gets walloped with snow as storm moves through

1:01 Montreal gets walloped with snow as storm moves through

The forecaster says strong winds, gusting up to 90 km/h in some areas, will also reduce visibility.

Geoffrey Downey, the province’s spokesman for the Department of Public Safety, said New Brunswick Power crews are positioned strategically throughout the province to deal with any potential power outages, and some municipalities have opened emergency operation centres.

WATCH: Winter storm leaves parts of Fredericton under several inches of snow

0:35 Winter storm leaves parts of Fredericton under several inches of snow

“Everyone’s taking this very seriously,” he said.

Downey said anyone in a region with forecasted rainfall should check their drains outside to ensure they’re clear, and advised everyone to stay off the roads unless it’s an emergency.

“You’re only going to get in the way of emergency responsers, plow operators, and potentially become someone who needs to be saved as well,” he said.

WATCH: Planes take off in snowy weather in Toronto

0:34 Planes take off in snowy weather in Toronto

Bay Ferries has cancelled sailings between Saint John, N.B., and Digby, N.S.

The storm is also bringing a rare combination of heavy snow, high winds and extreme cold to many parts of Quebec and southern Ontario.

An intense depression south of the St. Lawrence river could bring 15 to 25 centimetres of snow to the Montreal and Quebec City region, while Quebec’s Estrie and Beauce regions could receive 30 centimetres and Gaspesie could see as many as 50.

READ MORE: Winter storm wallops Montreal, hampering travel, causing power outages

Environment Canada has also issued a dual winter storm and extreme cold warning for Ottawa, which could see an addition 5 to 15 centimetres of snow along with wind chill values near -35 to -40.

Nova Scotia will see five to 15 centimetres of snow today followed by 30 to 60 millimetres of rain over much of the province’s mainland, coupled with strong winds gusting up to 100 km/h this afternoon and tonight.

Prince Edward Island is expecting up to 20 centimetres of snow in some areas before it changes to ice pellets and freezing rain this evening, along with strong winds gusting up to 90 km/h.

Environment Canada is warning that road conditions may be treacherous in all the storm-affected areas due to ice, snow and reduced visibility.

WATCH: Hamilton buffeted by snow as winter storm hits Ontario

0:38 Hamilton buffeted by snow as winter storm hits Ontario

And rainfall, wind, blowing snow and extreme cold warnings have been issued throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, with strong winds gusting between 100 km/h and 150 km/h along the island’s western and southern coasts, whipping up snow and reducing visibility.

Winter storm in U.S. Northeast leaves people stranded as flights are cancelled

Environment Canada says heavy rain is also expected over parts of Newfoundland overnight Sunday or Monday morning, with the south coast expecting the worst of it at 50 to 80 millimetres.

The storm has caused some flight cancellations and delays at airports across the affected regions, including Montreal and Quebec City.

WATCH: Southern Ontario digging out after winter storm

1:44 Southern Ontario digging out after winter storm

Air Canada said in its travel outlook that flights servicing Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal and New York, as well as Halifax and other airports in the Maritimes, may be affected by forecasted snowfall.

The airline said in a statement that its employees are “working hard to get our customers to their destination as soon as the storm passes and it is safe to do so.”

WATCH: Toronto prepares for major winter storm

1:45 Toronto prepares for major winter storm

Westjet has winter storm system advisories in place for Quebec City, Montreal, New York, the East Coast and southern Ontario.

As of about 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Westjet said 48 flights had been cancelled due to the weather.

In Montreal, the storm has also caused the cancellation of a festival dedicated to… snow.

The City announced yesterday that it’s suspending the Fete des Neiges due to the snowy, windy and cold weather as well as the dangerous conditions on the province’s roads.

With files from Global News