Digital Reporter
Many students in Nova Scotia are enjoying an April snow day as a nearly stationary low pressure system has delivered another wintry blast.
Over 20 cm of snow was reported at Halifax Stanfield International Airport early Friday with only a few centimetres of snow reported downtown.
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"The heavy, wet snow will continue to fall before the trough lifts east later today, " says Weather Network meteorologist Tyler Hamilton.
The quickly deteriorating conditions prompted school closures with the Halifax Regional School Board and the Strait Regional School Board. Police officials say numerous accidents were also reported early Friday with snow covered roads and blowing snow in gusty winds.
All HRSB schools are closed today (Apr. 15) due to weather conditions
— HRSB (@HRSB_Official)"Ice pellets are coming down steady, " tweeted The Weather Network's Nathan Coleman, adding to the poor travel conditions. "It's mid-scrApril, " he said while removing the ice from his windshield.
There were reports of several vehicles off the road including one in Enfield, which was involved in an accident with a snow plow. Fortunately, the driver's airbag dispersed and there were no reports of injuries. Still, drivers are being urged to slow down and adjust travel plans if necessary.
The snow is still falling in #EnfieldNS @NateTWN @globalalexh @globalhalifax
— Pat Healey - Laker (@Laker_PatHealey)Accident on Bell Blvd. by the airport. Road conditions extremely dangerous. @weathernetwork @MurphTWN @NicoleKarkic
— Nathan Coleman (@NateTWN) — Beth Woodward (@ScotianBelle)It's mid-scrApril, ice pellets coming down steady in #Halifax Updates w/ @MurphTWN @NicoleKarkic @mnelsontwn on #TWN
— Nathan Coleman (@NateTWN)Freezing rain warnings were issued across parts of western Newfoundland Friday morning, with the potential for patchy freezing rain to continue along parts of the coast through the afternoon hours. Light onshore winds could help temperatures to hover around the freezing mark, which result in a prolonged period of freezing rain.
"Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become icy and slippery, " warns Environment Canada. "Be prepared to adjust your driving with changing road conditions."
The rain and freezing rain is expected to transition back over to snow from west to east later Friday.
THE NEXT ONE
Forecasters are keeping a close eye on another potential system early next week that could feature another blast of winter.
"There's the potential for significant snow and wind Tuesday into Wednesday for eastern Nova Scotia and western and central Newfoundland, " says Dr. Doug Gillham, another meteorologist at The Weather Network. "Then we can expected chilly conditions through mid and late week for Atlantic Canada."
Adam Cooke