More than 255,000 Hydro Quebec customers are in the dark this morning as a significant spring storm rolls through the region.

The utility says on its web-based outage map that the affected area ranges from near Gatineau to Montreal's suburbs, with strong gusts of wind and broken tree branches cutting power lines.

Hydro One, in Ontario, is reporting that more than 59,000 of its customers have no electricity. However, a statement says its crews have already restored power to some 125,000 customers since the storm began Wednesday.

Toronto Pearson Airport says a handful of flights connecting travellers to and from Montreal and Toronto airports have been cancelled due to the storm.

Special advisories are covering areas from southwestern Ontario to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, where heavy wet snow can also be expected.

In Nova Scotia's south, a wind warning is also in effect, with gusts forecast to top out around 90 kilometres per hour.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 4, 2024.

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