Hurricane Maria is bringing heavy rain and high winds to southeastern Newfoundland, as the storm continues to churn northward.
The Category 1 hurricane had already prompted school closures and airport cancellations as it moved toward Nova Scotia's Sable Island, and was expected to become more powerful throughout the day.
CBC Newfoundland and Labrador meteorologist Ryan Snoddon said winds had already picked up before 9 a.m.
"Argentia is reporting wind gusts of up to 70 km/h as are Bonavista and St. John's. These are the areas where we are eventually expecting to see gusts well over 100 km/h. Heavy rainfall is expected to develop later," said Snoddon.
The centre of the storm was moving 85 km/h, Snoddon said, which may be good news, as a fast-moving storm is expected to drop less rain than a slow-moving one.
The Canadian Hurricane Centre said Maria is expected to make landfall as a hurricane Friday afternoon in southeastern Newfoundland.
The powerful storm is expected to dump up to 90 millimetres of rain with winds gusting to 120 km/h.
Environment Canada said toppled trees, widespread power outages and some damage to buildings were possible .
A hurricane warning is in effect for the southern Avalon Peninsula and a tropical storm warning is in effect for the northern Avalon, Burin and Bonavista peninsulas.
A city of St. John's crew prepares Thursday for rain that Hurricane Marie is expected to bring on Friday. (CBC)Rob Harris of the Gander weather office said the Burin Peninsula and south coast can expect the heaviest rain.
"It could be really heavy downbursts in a short period of time," he said.
Schools in the southern Avalon area began closing before 7 a.m.
Windy conditions are expected across Atlantic Canada Friday and Saturday as Maria is expected to merge with a storm front in Labrador.
Winds had picked up to 50 km/h in St John's by 7 a.m.
Rain has already begun with the systems ahead of Maria over Nova Scotia and southern Newfoundland.
Coastal Newfoundland is expected to see large waves Friday of up to seven metres.
Hurricane Igor is the most powerful storm to strike Newfoundland on record. It made landfall Sept 21, 2010, near Cape Race with winds of 140 km/h while still at hurricane force.
CBC reporter Zach Goudie on Thursday near damage that Hurricane Igor caused in Sept. 2010. (CBC) More than 200 mm of rain fell, washing out roads, and taking out hydroelectric power and knocking over numerous trees.
The Canadian military was called in to help rebuild bridges and destroyed infrastructure.
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