Nor’easter arrives in N.S. bringing rain, snow and heavy wind

Nova Scotians are waking up to the arrival of a major early-season storm this morning, bringing a combination of heavy, wet snow inland and steady rainfall along the Atlantic coast.

Wind is also becoming a factor as the system continues to move across the province.

Environment Canada says precipitation began in the southwest overnight and will spread through central and eastern regions through the day, creating quickly changing travel conditions.

Inland and higher-elevation areas, including the Annapolis Valley, Colchester County, Cumberland County and parts of northern and western Cape Breton, are expected to see 10 to 35 centimetres of snow by the time the system clears.

The heaviest totals will fall at higher elevations, where temperatures are slightly cooler.

Along the Atlantic coast, from Yarmouth through Halifax and up to eastern Cape Breton, the system is delivering 30 to 50 millimetres of rain.

A coastal flooding statement also remains in place for southeast-facing shorelines because of large waves, elevated water levels and a high tide cycle early this morning.

Wind is strongest in eastern Cape Breton, where gusts could exceed 80 kilometres per hour today.

Environment Canada warns that the rain-snow line remains difficult to pin down. Areas near freezing may see accumulation quickly washed away, while inland communities could experience heavy, compact snow that is difficult to clear.

The storm is also impacting local infrastructure. About 28,000 Nova Scotia Power customers are without electricity this morning as crews respond to weather-related outages.

Cancellations and closures

Tri-County Regional School Board:
• All schools in Digby County are closed due to unsafe road conditions.
• Schools in Yarmouth and Shelburne counties remain open.
• Progress conferences at Digby County schools are cancelled; schools will provide rescheduling details.
• Worksites remain open.

South Shore Regional Centre for Education:
• All schools in the Forest Heights Family of Schools are closed.
• Progress conferences cancelled with updates to come.

Chignecto Central Regional Centre for Education (Cumberland, Colchester, East Hants):
• All schools in Cumberland County, Colchester County, and the Municipality of East Hants are closed.

Cape Breton–Victoria Regional Centre for Education:
• All schools in the region are closed.

Nova Scotia Community College:
• NSCC campuses in Cumberland, Annapolis Valley, Amherst, Kingstec and Truro are closed.

Highway closures:
• Highway 105: all lanes closed near Millville (km 132) due to a motor vehicle collision.
• Highway 104: closed from Thomson Station through the Cobequid Pass to Masstown; westbound also closed at Westchester Mountain due to multiple tractor trailers off the road.

• Cobequid Pass westbound: lane closed for several hours to remove trucks stuck in snow and icy conditions, per the Department of Public Works.

What happens next

The storm will gradually move out of the province later today.

Conditions should begin improving by midday in the southwest, spreading across the mainland this afternoon and reaching Cape Breton later in the day. Some regions may see lingering flurries or showers behind the system, but the heaviest precipitation will taper off.

Newsroom

Nor’easter arrives in N.S. bringing rain, snow and heavy wind

Cancellations and closures

What happens next

Active weather alerts (Wednesday morning)