Public services impacted, parking ban in effect as snow, ice pellets fall across Maritimes

Schools across the Maritimes are closed or dismissing students early Thursday before snow and freezing rain moves into the region.

Schools

All schools in New Brunswick are closed. Schools in western and central Prince Edward Island are closed. Schools in mainland Nova Scotia are either closed or dismissing early.

The threat of the pending weather prompted an early morning decision by the Halifax Regional Centre for Education to dismiss students two hours early.

“Generally, on a regular day, all of our busses would be off the road by 4:30 - 4:45 (p.m.). So on a day like today, we would certainly see most busses – and of course, sometimes there are delays – we would see most busses off the road before 3 p.m. today," says communications officer Lindsey Bunin.

“It’s a tough thing, but safety is always number one.”

A full list of school closures can be found here.

Weather alerts

In New Brunswick, snowfall warnings and special weather statements remain in effect.

Snowfall amounts may reach up to 35 cm in northern areas of the province. The snow is expected to mix with ice pellets in the afternoon and evening over Queens, Sunbury, and southern York counties.

CTV Atlantic meteorologist Kalin Mitchell says road conditions will likely deteriorate quickly.

A blowing snow advisory is in effect for the Acadian Peninsula and Bathurst and Chaleur regions.

A series of freezing rain and winter storm warnings are in place for Nova Scotia.

All western areas, as well as Hants County, Halifax Metro and Halifax County West, and parts of Colchester County, will see up to four hours of freezing rain.

“The freezing rain will be preceded by accumulating snow and ice pellets, which is likely to exacerbate the hazard to motorists during the afternoon commute. Conditions will improve in the evening as temperatures rising well above zero and precipitation transitions to rain,” the warning reads.

Hazardous winter conditions are expected for Cape Breton, where up to 30 cm of snow is expected along with 80 km/h wind gusts.

“Several hours of snow, heavy at times, will be followed by a changeover to ice pellets, which are also expected to be heavy at times tonight. A brief period of freezing rain is possible after midnight before a changeover to rain in the overnight hours,” Environment Canada says.

A Les Suêtes wind warning is also in effect for Inverness County - Mabou and north, where southeasterly wind gusts may reach up to 140 km/h Thursday evening and until after midnight.

Western P.E.I. is under a snowfall warning, with the heaviest snow expected to start later in the afternoon. It may then be mixed with ice pellets at times in the evening.

A blowing snow advisory is also in effect for Prince County.

Meanwhile, Queens County and Kings County are under a special weather statement.

“Ten to 15 cm of snow is forecast for central and eastern areas of Prince Edward Island before a changeover to ice pellets or freezing rain, and then rain showers late this evening and overnight. Strengthening southeasterly winds during the freezing precipitation could lead to scattered utility outages,” the warning reads.

Overnight parking ban

The Halifax Regional Municipality is enforcing its overnight winter parking ban, which will be in effect between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. Friday in both Zone 1 – central and Zone 2 – non-central.

The city says the ban is put in place to allow crews to properly clear streets and sidewalks.

Travel

Marine Atlantic has rescheduled its 11:45 a.m. crossing from North Sydney, N.S., to Port aux Basques, N.L., to 10:30 a.m. due to adverse weather conditions.

Two Thursday crossings have been cancelled and well as several crossings on Friday.

The Halifax Regional Municipality said at 7 a.m. that crews were monitoring the forecast and putting down salt across the region.

Halifax Transit says many of its routes are on a snow plan. Details on those changed routes can be found online.

The LaHave ferry service in Nova Scotia was suspended due to weather around 1 p.m.

The Halifax Public Gardens also closed at 1 p.m. due to weather.

Canada Post delays

Canada Post issued yellow delivery service alerts for Nova Scotia and New Brunswick due to the snow and inclement weather Thursday. A yellow service alert means there could be delays on mail delivery and collection.

Residents told to check storm drains

Halifax Water is warning residents of the risk of localized flooding caused by surface-level run-off and the potential for storm drains and catch basins to become blocked with ice and snow.

Residents are encouraged to check their storm drains, catch basins and driveway culverts to make they are clear.

“Halifax Water crews are working hard to clear snow from over 8,400 hydrants. As this work continues, there may be an impact on traffic lanes. We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience as this necessary work is carried out,” reads a release from the utility

“We welcome and encourage customers to remove snow from hydrants if they are able and it is safe to do so.”

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Callum Smith.