HALIFAX — Atlantic Canada is being buffeted by bruising winds and heavy snowfall today as a blizzard sweeps through the region, cancelling flights and shuttering everything from schools and municipal offices to businesses and hospital services.

In Nova Scotia, Environment Canada meteorologist Tracey Talbot said winds were gusting to 110 km/h in Osborne Head, just outside of Halifax, and up to 20cms of snow had already fallen in some areas with the storm not expected to move out until Tuesday.

She says blizzard and winter storm warnings have been issued for much of the region, prompting the Nova Scotia government to close all of its mainland offices today and authorities in Halifax to close schools, shut down transit, ferries and other municipal services as a precaution.

Snowfall totals across the province are expected to range from 20 to 60cms, however, some areas could be buried under as much as 75cms

Peter Spurway, who lives about 35 minutes outside Halifax in West Lawrencetown, says the visibility at his property was near zero as winds whipped around his home while he tried to get to his barn to feed three ponies.

New Brunswick and P.E.I. are looking at totals ranging from 25 to 40cms, with wind gusts up to 100 km/h.

The Northeast is also blanketed just days after the biggest storm of the season dumped up to 19 inches of snow on the region.

Winter storm warnings are in effect into Monday from upstate New York to Maine, where blizzard conditions and 2 feet of snow are possible.

Hartford, Connecticut, could get 4 to 8 inches of snow, the Boston area 6 to 10, Portsmouth, New Hampshire 12 to 18 and 16 to 24 in Portland, Maine.

The National Weather also is warning of strong winds and coastal flooding.

Schools around the region delayed or cancelled classes Monday including in Boston.

According to the flight-tracking website FlightAware.com, more than 1,300 flights in the U.S. were scrapped Sunday and more than 6,000 delayed.