Many students across New Brunswick are getting an early start to their weekend thanks to Old Man Winter.

All schools are closed Friday as New Brunswickers prepare for a mixture of snow, rain and freezing rain.

Environment Canada has issued a rainfall warning and a freezing rain warning for Moncton and Southeast New Brunswick.

Snow changed to rain near noon Friday but Meteorologist Jill Maepea says conditions are going to get treacherous again overnight, “It’s going to change back to freezing rain by morning and it will continue. We are expecting a prolonged period of freezing rain for Moncton and Southeast regions of the province, and conditions will deteriorate.”

Maepea says the freezing rain will taper off later in the day.

Forecasters are calling for up to 40 millimetres of rain.

Central and northern New Brunswick, including Kent County, are under a winter storm warning.

Northwestern regions of the province, where the precipitation will remain as snow, could see 30 to 50 centimetres by the time it comes to an end.

The rest of northern New Brunswick will see 20 to 30 centimetres, with locally up to 40 centimetres. Totals in central regions will range from between 15 and 25 centimetres.

That snow will change to rain by Friday evening, with a prolonged period of freezing rain possible in some areas during the transition. It could last three to six hours in northern regions, and up to 12 hours in central New Brunswick.

The bad weather forced red and yellow delivery alerts for Canada Post today.

Red delivery service alerts were issued for the following regions:

• Bathurst
• Campbellton
• Edmundston
• Fredericton
• Miramichi
• Moncton
• Oromocto
• Saint John

This means delivery has been suspended for the day.

Yellow delivery service alerts were issued for the following region:

• St. Stephen

A yellow alert means they will do their best to make deliveries but there could be delays.

Residents are encouraged to clear walkways, stairs and driveways to ensure the safety of mail carriers, in all weather conditions.

You can find the latest highway conditions through New Brunswick 511 by clicking here.

With files from Brad Perry and Tara Clow