Winter storms hammer Eastern Canada, as rain and flooding hits B.C.'s North Coast

Canada's cold crunch is continuing into Tuesday after a winter storm slammed Ontario and Quebec, wreaking havoc on the roads and leaving tens of thousands without power.

Millions remain under yellow and orange weather warnings from Environment Canada as storms sweep through multiple provinces, stretching from eastern Ontario to the Atlantic region.

Snow squalls, blowing snow and cold temperatures following yesterday's freezing rain could further complicate travel.

In Ontario and Quebec, storm fronts brought freezing rain, blowing snow and strong winds, leaving tens of thousands without power at one point.

Much of Canada has been blasted with a number of weather systems over the last week, ranging from blizzards and cold snaps to freezing rain.

In B.C., some residents were left stranded after heavy rainfall washed out a section of Highway 16 in Haida Gwaii, connecting the north and south parts of the island.

Residents said the washout cut off a critical north-south route on the archipelago, affecting access to hospitals and critical infrastructure.

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) says an atmospheric river system from the Pacific has stalled over B.C.'s North Coast, bringing a prolonged period of rain to Kitimat and nearby areas.

A flood watch from the B.C. River Forecast Centre for Haida Gwaii and the North Coast has been in place since Dec. 27, with nearby rivers possibly reaching or exceeding bank levels due to the rain.

Meanwhile, a strengthening bomb cyclone is barrelling its way across the northern United States, unleashing severe winter weather in the Midwest and aiming at the East Coast.

Click on this interactive map on the red, orange and yellow areas to get more information on the weather alerts across Canada:

The federal weather agency says some areas northeast of Quebec City and into northern New Brunswick could see between 15 and 40 centimetres of snow, along with high winds.

In London and the Lake Huron and Georgian Bay regions, ECCC is warning of continuing blizzard conditions with "dangerous snow squalls," advising residents to beware of prolonged disruptions to transportation, services and utilities.

"Dangerous snow squalls and significant blowing snow continue," the agency said, noting snow could continue falling until Thursday and, in some places, reach 50 centimetres of accumulation. "Near-zero visibility remains the primary concern due to northwesterly winds gusting 50 to 70 km/h."