Halifax is bracing for a significant snowfall at the start of the week, prompting Environment Canada to issue a yellow snowfall warning for central Nova Scotia. The weather agency has forecasted an accumulation of 25 to 30 centimeters of snow from Sunday evening through Tuesday morning, which is expected to create hazardous travel conditions.
In addition to the heavy snowfall, wind gusts are anticipated to reach between 50 to 70 kilometers per hour, resulting in blowing snow that could severely reduce visibility. Environment Canada warns that the most intense snowfall will occur overnight into Monday morning. Strong winds along the Atlantic Coast are expected to exacerbate the situation, leading to difficult travel experiences due to reduced visibility over open and exposed areas.
As a result of the inclement weather conditions, numerous flights from Halifax Stanfield International Airport have already been canceled. The airport authority has informed the public to prepare for further delays and cancellations throughout the day. For those needing up-to-date information on flight statuses, the authority provides a flight status tool available online.
In terms of educational institutions, the Halifax Regional Centre for Education has not yet commented on whether there will be any school closures on Monday, leaving families uncertain as the weather worsens.
Winter Parking Ban in Effect
As snowfall grips the region, the Halifax Regional Municipality has instituted an overnight winter parking ban that will be enforced from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. This measure is designed to facilitate efficient snow clearing operations on streets and sidewalks. The municipality emphasizes that all vehicles must be removed from municipal streets during these hours to avoid potential towing.
The notice from the municipality highlights that regardless of the winter parking ban status or whether notifications have been received, vehicles that obstruct snow-clearing operations may be towed at any time of the day or night. This is in accordance with Section 139 of the Nova Scotia Motor Vehicle Act.
Additionally, the municipality warns that vehicles obstructing sidewalk clearing can also face fines. Such obstructions hinder the efficiency of snow-clearing efforts and create accessibility challenges for pedestrians, underscoring the importance of compliance with municipal rules during winter weather events.
For more details on the municipality's winter operations and guidelines, residents can visit the municipality’s dedicated page for winter information. Overall, Halifax is preparing for a challenging week ahead as weather forecasts indicate a prolonged period of snow and wind.
