Schools in the metro area will be closed for the remainder of the day as the Avalon digs out from the first major snowfall of the year.

Provincial government offices meanwhile, are reopening for the afternoon.

Amounts of between 18 to 22 cm fell on the region by mid-morning according to Environment Canada meteorologist, David Neil, with flurries lingering throughout the day.

Neil says the weather system mainly affected the Avalon Peninsula with some lesser snowfall amounts in the Clarenville and Gander areas.

According to Neil, the area has a couple days before another system moves across the island for Wednesday evening.

He says that system will bring a mix of precipitation to many parts of the island, from rain in the south and east, snow in the west, Northern Peninsula, and southeastern Labrador, and a mix of snow and rain for parts of central Newfoundland.