Snowfall warning issued for the Maritimes: 15-20 centimetres expected

HALIFAX – Environment Canada has issued a snowfall warning for the Maritimes because of a forecasted 15-20 cm of the white stuff on Sunday.

“A low pressure system will pass south of Nova Scotia on Sunday. This system will bring snow, at times heavy, to mainland Nova Scotia Sunday morning. The snow will become mixed with ice pellets Sunday afternoon and then taper to flurries Sunday evening,” the alert read online.

Up to 20 cm of snow is set to fall in Annapolis Valley, and Lunenburg County by the end of the weekend. Southern parts of New Brunswick will also see around 15 cm of snow.

“Yesterday, for somebody to tell me that we are going to be, today, preparing for a snow storm, I would have really just thought it was crazy,” said David Jean, owner of Atlantic Asphalt Protection in Tantallon, N.S.

His crew got their equipment ready on Saturday. He said that over the last year, 14 storms resulted in necessary plowing.

Despite potential slower periods in the season, “we could be out sanding, out salting, repairing gear, and getting ready for that next storm, so it’s a constant cycle,” said Jean.

“Bring on winter, and bring it now,” said Andy MacLean, operations manager for Ski Martock, over the phone in Hantsport, N.S.

According to MacLean, for the first time in 30 years, the resort’s hills weren’t open for Christmas.

Since almost all of the snow on the hills is made through a machine, ski hills are hoping are actually hoping more for colder temperatures than even snow.

“But, certainly, white is good. White everywhere is fantastic, so we’re looking forward to a little drop of snow as well,” said MacLean, adding that the next week could decide when the hills open.

Boxing Day was a day of visual contradictions; people surfed in Lawrencetown, N.S., while others enjoyed skating at the Emera Oval in Halifax, about a 30-minute drive away.

“I’m from Zimbabwe, we don’t get any snow or anything, so when the snow comes, I just want to be ready to actually enjoy it,” said Liz Mandishora, who has lived in Halifax for a few years.