Snow storm in Atlantic Canada delays flights, claims one life at 14:56 on February 13, 2006, EST.

HALIFAX (CP) - A record-breaking storm that socked the northeastern U.S. with more than 60 centimetres of snow Sunday lost much of its punch as it moved through Atlantic Canada.

Environment Canada meteorologist Jeremy March said the weather system rapidly intensified south of Cape Cod before it reached Canada's East Coast.

"Most of the moisture in the system got wrung out over the New England states," said March from his Halifax office.

"We kind of dodged a bullet, it could have been much worse," he said.

Nonetheless, the storm dumped as much as 20 centimetres in some areas of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and P.E.I., as high winds limited visibility and made driving hazardous because of whiteout conditions.

The poor weather forced 14 planes destined for the northeastern U.S. to divert to the airport in Gander, N.L.

The flights included eight passenger aircraft along with six military and cargo planes making trans-Atlantic trips to New England.

By Sunday night all but two of the aircraft had left the airport.

The nasty conditions also resulted in dozens of cancellations and delays at the Halifax International Airport.

Arrivals and departures were affected early Monday and travellers were advised to check ahead before leaving for the airport.

Forecasters said the weather system would push into Newfoundland, while strong winds and some flurries were expected to persist into the afternoon in Nova Scotia.

Most schools in mainland Nova Scotia were cancelled as a result.

Meanwhile, conditions were being blamed for an accident that claimed the life of a man in Trenton, N.S.

Police said the unidentified victim was killed Sunday in a crash involving a snowmobile and a snow plow at a town intersection.

Police said a second man on the snowmobile was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of non life-threatening injuries.

They blamed poor road conditions and visibility for the accident.