Atlantic Canada was hit by another winter storm Wednesday - the fourth in less than a week.

A low-pressure system that wound its way through the Bay of Fundy and the Gulf of St Lawrence hit southern New Brunswick, northern Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island Wednesday. It dumped at least 20 centimetres of snow in some parts, and high winds also helped to create snow drifts that were reported to be almost 60 centimetres deep.

"This storm is on its last legs, but my gosh, it's not as if it is a weakened storm," David Phillips, a senior climatologist at Environment Canada told CTV Newsnet.

"It gets the energy from the Gulf of Maine, from the Bay of Fundy area. (It's) a little bit like adding a few steroids to the system. Over the Gulf of St. Lawrence, it will have another shot of adrenaline before it slams into Newfoundland."

CTV Atlantic's Kelland Sundahl reported that a number of schools were closed in Moncton, along with city hall. Municipal bus service was also cancelled as snow removal crews struggled to clear city streets.

City officials estimate it will take between seven and 10 days to dig out from the latest winter blast. Police are asking residents to stay off the roads as driving conditions continue to be treacherous.

"It really is a contrast to last year, where at this time, you had maybe 35 centimetres of snow instead of 165 which we've seen in Charlottetown and Moncton and well over 100 in places like Fredericton and St. John's," said Phillips.

The bad weather stranded Canada AM's Jeff Hutcheson in Charlottetown. He told Newsnet that the Maritimes were reeling after the week-long series of storms.

"Here in Charlottetown -- and I would include Moncton, Fredericton and St. John -- a lot of snow (fell) overnight," he said. "Halifax has been a little bit luckier here in that a lot of it was rain because the temperature rose quite significantly."

Snowfall warnings were issued Wednesday for Cumberland County North and Cobequid Pass and the Minas Shore in Nova Scotia. By Wednesday evening, the system began to hit parts of Newfoundland.

Storm grounds flights

Travel was hampered on Wednesday as major airlines reported flight disruptions and travel advisories on roadways were issued throughout the Atlantic region. Highways across Nova Scotia experienced reduced visibility from blowing snow, slippery patches and snow-covered roads, the province's Department of Transportation and Renewal reported.

The Confederation Bridge between P.E.I. and New Brunswick was closed off to high-sided vehicles for part of Wednesday due to high winds and icy conditions.

Newfoundland and Labrador's Transportation and Works department issued advisories throughout the province due to slushy, snow-covered and slippery highways and secondary roads.

Air Canada warned travellers flying to and from Halifax, Montreal, and St. John's of flight disruptions.

"I couldn't get out of Charlottetown (Tuesday), I can't get out until Thursday -- out of Moncton -- and the situation is there are no flights out of Charlottetown available, they're all sold out," Hutcheson said.

In Halifax, the weather wasn't directly affecting outgoing flights Wednesday afternoon, but customers still faced problems because of delayed and cancelled incoming flights. Many of those hoping to leave the city will have to wait for backlogs from other Canadian and North American airports to clear up.

One traveller -- who drove hours to catch his flight only to find out it was cancelled -- took it all in stride.

"Oh, it's Canada. You learn to live with it," Tony Ivancic told CTV Atlantic.

Cold snap in southern Ontario

As the snow dissipated in southern Ontario, freezing temperatures gripped the region on Wednesday. Environment Canada reported wind chill values of -30 C in some parts of the province.

Hamilton was expected to dip to a minus-21 C on Wednesday night. Toronto was expected to reach lows of minus-25 C with wind chill factored in.

Further north in the Ottawa area, Environment Canada reported temperatures in the region would drop to -24 C and -28 C with the wind chill.