The first major snowstorm of the season hit easternmost Canada on Monday, knocking out power lines and forcing school closures along the Atlantic seaboard.
Nearly 20 inches (50 centimeters) of snow fell on parts of New Brunswick and Quebec provinces, accompanied by howling winds, and Environment Canada forecast up to another 25 centimeters (nine inches) throughout the day.
In New Brunswick, all schools in the northern part of the province were closed, while 12,000 homes were without electricity.
About 2,500 residences in Quebec also lost power, according to the local power utility.
