A significant East Coast winter storm is winding down Saturday after bringing more than 20 cm of snow to parts of the Maritimes. Folks across the Maritimes will spend the weekend digging out from the wind-blown snowfall, which left hefty accumulations across much of Nova Scotia, including Halifax, as well as portions of New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.
Across the Gulf, a messy mix of snow, ice, and rain continued across Newfoundland through the second half of the day Saturday. Power outages and tough travel due to significant icing were concerns as freezing rain encrusted much of central Newfoundland. Temperatures remained warm enough for mainly rain across the Avalon Peninsula. Temperatures will plunge behind this wintry system, remaining solidly below zero through Christmas morning—virtually assuring a white Christmas for anyone who got accumulating snow from this storm.
Beware the risk for slick spots as freshly plowed or shoveled surfaces may re-freeze as temperatures fall. Many Nova Scotians woke up to a pleasant surprise on Saturday with snow beginning to fall around Halifax International airport around 10 p.m. Friday, picking up volume throughout the night.
Much of the province remained under winter weather warnings issued by Environment Canada, predicting the heaviest snowfalls throughout the Valley and northern Nova Scotia, with up to 30 cm falling. Halifax itself was under a snowfall warning, expecting additional accumulations of around 5 cm.
“Gusty northeast, and then northwest, winds accompanying the snow will cause reduced visibility at times in blowing snow,” the advisory stated. “Rapidly accumulating snow could make travel difficult over some locations.” With the holiday travel season approaching, many residents were reminded to check driving conditions before heading out. Ferries between Nova Scotia and Newfoundland were cancelled, with potential impacts also expected for Sunday, and similar cancellations occurred for ferries between Nova Scotia and P.E.I.
The storm, identified as a nor’easter, dumped upwards of 20 cm of snow overnight Friday, and will likely fulfill the wishes of Nova Scotians dreaming of a white Christmas. With both arrivals and departures at Halifax Stanfield International Airport dominated by cancelled and delayed flights, holiday travel plans were put on hold.
Marine Atlantic sailings between Cape Breton and Newfoundland were also cancelled for the day, alongside the Northumberland Ferries, which cancelled all departures between Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island for Saturday. Most highways across Nova Scotia were reported as snow-covered or partly snow-covered with blowing snow.
RCMP public information officer Corp. Guillaume Tremblay advised motorists to proceed cautiously: “If there is any kind of accumulation out there, slow down; it’s going to take more time and distance to stop. It’s the first big snowstorm of the year so it will take some patience for drivers to get used to the winter weather.”
With snow resuming by Saturday afternoon, the forecast called for five additional centimeters of snow, with high winds causing visibility issues where the snow was accompanied by northwest winds.
“Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways, and parking lots may become difficult to navigate due to accumulating snow,” Environment and Climate Change Canada warned, highlighting increased difficulty for commuters and travelers.
Nova Scotians can look forward to more seasonal delights as the snow is likely to stick around over the next few days leading up to Christmas. The province is expected to remain just above or below the freezing mark, allowing the accumulated snow to be part of the festive scenery.
A low-pressure system responsible for the storm intensified rapidly, meeting 'weather bomb' criteria with its minimum central air pressure falling 24 millibars within 24 hours. Drivers were urged to plan accordingly, as significant travel disruptions were likely with heavy snow across the Maritimes.
Government authorities recommended postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve, as numerous weather warnings were widespread. Gusty conditions were anticipated across the region, increasing the risk of localized power outages due to the combination of wet snowfall and strong winds.
“Anyone planning travel should be prepared for adverse weather conditions,” said Environment Canada, warning about potential whiteout conditions for parts of the Maritimes and western Newfoundland.
Gusts between 50 and 80 km/h were forecast across the Maritimes, with the Avalon expected to experience even stronger gusts up to 100 km/h. Following this winter storm, colder temperatures will prevail, making it likely for snow to remain on the ground through Christmas.
Following this passing system, milder weather is expected to return by mid-week, with above-seasonal temperatures projected for the last days of December and the beginning of January.
Staying updated on the latest weather announcements and forecasts will be key for residents planning their holiday travel and ensuring safety during snowy conditions.
