Nova Scotians are being warned of potential significant snowfall heading into the weekend, with the possibility of heavy snow impacting travel ahead of Christmas.

Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement covering the entire province, excluding Cape Breton, for late Friday into Saturday.

A map showing the parts of Nova Scotia under a special weather statement for snowfall. Photo: Environment Canada.

A low-pressure system is expected to move up the eastern seaboard, tracking south of Nova Scotia on Saturday and bringing snow to much of the province. While it’s still too early to pinpoint exact snowfall amounts, forecasters warn that small changes in the storm’s track could dramatically affect how much snow falls in different areas.

“Significant snowfall is possible for some or all of Nova Scotia, which could make travel difficult on Saturday,” the statement reads.

Residents should be prepared for challenging conditions as the system could bring heavy snow along with strong winds. The exact timing and intensity will depend on how the storm tracks, with the potential for continued snow into Sunday.

Environment Canada meteorologist Jim Prime says they are still waiting for projections to firm up on when the snow will switch to rain. “How much snowfall areas will see will vary heavily on when we start seeing the rainfall and that’s something we’ll be watching for as it gets closer,”.

Travelers should stay updated on the latest forecasts as the storm develops, and make plans to avoid unnecessary travel if possible on Saturday, when snow and winds could impact roads across the province.