A hydro pole broken by tropical storm Leslie, in St John's, Newfoundland, Tuesday Sept 11, 2012. GAULTON/QMI AGENCY

A blizzard warning was in effect in parts of Newfoundland Thursday in advance of the region's first severe winter weather of the season.

The forecast from AccuWeather was calling for strong winds of 70-90 km/h and snowfall up to 40 cm or more in some areas.

The Avalon Peninsula is expected to be hit hard by the storm, which is expected to start in the afternoon and continue overnight.

"Major snowstorm still on track for southeastern Newfoundland today into Friday morning," tweeted AccuWeather's Brett Anderson, who writes a blog about Canadian weather.

Environment Canada meteorologist Paul Greeley told St. John's radio station VOCM the local area could get up to 70 cm.

Schools throughout the region closed early as a precaution.

Anderson said snow will transition to light rain in the St. John's area Friday afternoon "but not before (a) big dump!"