WATCH ABOVE: The biggest winter storm to hit Halifax this season has shut down the city. Global’s Marieke Walsh reports.
HALIFAX – The latest storm to hit Halifax is reminiscent of the White Juan blizzard that dumped 100 centimetres of snow on parts of the province, the city’s winter operations superintendent said Wednesday.
“We are getting arguably the biggest snowfall in several years, possibly the biggest snowfall since White Juan,” said Darrin Natolino.
Environment Canada Meteorologist Tracey Talbot said the snowfall in Halifax has already exceeded total snow forecasts. As of 9 a.m. 30 centimetres of snow was recorded at the airport, said Talbot. Volunteer observations in Hammonds Plains put snowfall amounts there at between 43 and 54 centimetres.
Talbot said another ten centimetres is expected to fall and then the snow will “taper off to flurries.” However the blustery winds won’t diminish until Wednesday evening.
This is “absolutely worse than the last few storms,” said Natolino. “The amount that’s fallen in the last few hours is remarkable.”
“Looking at the radar, it looks like the system is stalling over us.”
The city is urging everyone who can, to stay off the roads because of heavy snow and reduced visibility. Natolino said he won’t be able to give an accurate assessment of when roads will be cleared until the snow stops. But he said residents should expect it to take at least a couple of days.
However, Natolino said from his assessment of the storm it doesn’t look like it will move out very fast.
With the increasing snowfall the city has decided to close all municipal offices for the rest of the day. Most post-secondary schools in Halifax were also closed, along with some daycares and march break camps.
The city also confirmed the overnight parking ban will be enforced Wednesday evening. In a news release Spokesperson Jennifer Stairs also asked residents to plan ahead because the city expects the parking ban to be enforced in the coming days as well.
CANCELLATION UPDATES: Latest winter storm cancels buses, ferries
The storm also caused power outages in different parts of the province including Bridgewater, Digby, and Yarmouth. Estimated restoration times from Nova Scotia Power ranged from four to six hours.
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