Winter storm causes outages in Nova Scotia and cancellations across the Maritimes

An overnight storm dumped heavy, wet snow across the Maritimes on Monday, leaving more than 120,000 homes and businesses in Nova Scotia without electricity as utility crews scrambled to repair power lines damaged by toppled trees and broken branches.

Across the region, schools and government offices were closed for the day or delayed opening, and scores of health-care services were cancelled.

In Halifax, the snowfall stopped well before noon and the temperature remained just above freezing as the streets and most sidewalks were quickly cleared of snow and slush.

“It’s a stunning day for me,” said Scott Bunting, as he and his dog Dutch were out walking near Halifax City Hall. “We’re going to go for a beautiful walk and, honestly, we’re loving it.”

Bunting said the rate of snowfall was heavy around 2:30 a.m. when he and Dutch were out for a late walk.

“But all the plows have been out downtown, so the sidewalks are clear, the salt is out and the roads are clearing up right away.”

Still, some flights at Halifax Stanfield International Airport were either delayed or cancelled.

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Between 15 and 20 centimetres of snow was in the forecast for central, eastern and northern Nova Scotia, where driving was treacherous.

2:03 ‘Nor’easter’ snowstorm headed for Atlantic Canada

In the morning, the Mounties were warning drivers to be careful after a series of collisions on two of the province’s main highways in Cumberland and Colchester counties led to partial closures.

Meanwhile, Environment Canada was warning those shovelling snow to take frequent breaks and avoid strain.

Halifax resident Hannah Morten said her home in Halifax’s north end was still without power after she left in the morning. But she said she wasn’t worried.

“It’s definitely not super crazy,” she said, referring to the rapidly melting snow. “They were able to clear the roads … and it’s like the first school closures of the year.  I’m without power … but they’re usually pretty prompt at getting everything back up and running.”

Morten said she wasn’t surprised by the widespread closures and delays.

“There was definitely a decent amount of snow overnight,” she said. “Here we are on next day and the sun’s peeking through the clouds …. It’s the calm after the storm.”

All public schools in P.E.I. were closed for the day. And there were delays opening some government offices on the Island.

As the storm was pulling away from the Maritimes, it headed to Newfoundland, where much of the island was bracing for 15 to 25 centimetres of new snow by this evening, with strong winds causing reduced visibility in some areas.

Portions of northeastern, central and western Newfoundland were expected to get the most snow, with up to five centimetres of snow falling every hour in some areas.

“Travel will likely be challenging,” Environment Canada said in one weather warning.

Meanwhile, residents of eastern Newfoundland were being warned that southwesterly winds gusting at 80 kilometres per hour could cause damage across the Avalon Peninsula. Wind speeds reaching 100 km/h were expected along the coast until the evening.

“Local utility outages are possible,” Environment Canada warned. “Damage to roofs, fences, branches or soft shelters is possible.”