This latest snowstorm will go down in the history books.
Snowfall totals have eclipsed 100 centimeters in Cape Breton and some areas of the province.
How does it compare to White Juan?
Environment Canada meteorologist Bob Robichaud says it reminds him more of a storm in 1992.
“It stalled offshore like this one and resulted in about 163 centimeters of snow in the Moncton area, and about 100 centimeters in the Sydney area as well,” said Robichaud.
The national forecaster says from 8 a.m. Friday, to 9 a.m. Monday, snowfall totals were:
Sydney (volunteer observer) 150 Sydney Airport 103 Ingonish 98 Halifax Stanfield 84 Spanish Ship Bay 75 Rawdon Gold Mine 73 Jimtown 70 Dartmouth 33-52 Bedford 49 Middle River 47 Hammonds Plains 30-43 St. Anns 41 Halifax (city center) 30-40 Duncans Cove 40 Northport 27
Warnings have ended for most of the province as of 5 a.m. Monday.
The public works department, which oversees snow clearing, is still reporting roads conditions are partially covered, or completely covered, with poor visibility.
Sunday snow buries two cars
The Cape Breton Regional Municipality has voted for a seven-day state of emergency, which includes the Sydney area.
“It is imperative that crews are able to continue the hard work of clearing roadways and supporting our first responders as we enter into the next 24 hours,” said CBRM Mayor Amanda McDougall. “This is in place for seven days, but we are hopeful that it will be lifter sooner as the storm passes and clean up continues.”
McDougall said the declaration sill requires approval from the provincial minister of the EMO.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he has already talked with his Cape Breton MP’s and McDougall about the situation.
“To everyone in Nova Scotia affected by this major winter storm…Please stay safe. We are here to help however we can.” Trudeau wrote in a statement on X.
Premier Tim Houston says the province is looking to acquire snow clearing equipment from all over including New Brunswick and P.E.I to help with clean up.
“We are in the middle of one of the largest snowfalls in the province’s history. Our team has been doing everything they can to locate and move all available plows and equipment from every area of the province that’s not using them to get them, safely, to the areas of greatest need.” said Houston in a statement late on Sunday night.
In addition, Nova Scotia has submitted a request to the federal government to offer any and all support.
Snow piles up in doorway in Cape Breton
Emergency response
Nova Scotia Health will focus on emergency services only at many of their hospitals on Monday. Visit Nova Scotia Health for a complete breakdown in your community.
Storm conditions are also affecting ambulance response times. Emergency Health Services (EHS) is still reminding people to call 911 in medical emergencies.
“The EHS Medical Communications Centre Clinical Team is there to provide care. Stay home if travel isn’t necessary. The safety of our crews & all Nova Scotians is our top priority.”
Meantime, the Nova Scotia government is asking people to check on neighbours, especially seniors and those living alone.
“For everyone’s safety, please do not walk on the road while snow removal is underway, play on snowbanks or build tunnels near the road as snow plow drivers and other motorists may not be able to see.”
The province is reiterating calls to stay off the roads during the storm.
School Closures and Cancellations for Monday, February 5
NEW – All schools in the South Shore Regional Centre for Education are closed.
NEW – All Digby County schools in the Tri-County Regional Centre for Education. Yarmouth and Shelburne counties are open.
NEW – All Annapolis Valley Regional Centre for Education schools and worksites are closed.
Strait Regional Centre for Education; all schools, buildings and worksites (Mulgrave Operations Centre, Bus Garages, Regional Office at SAERC) will be closed.
All Halifax schools (HRCE) will be closed
Chignecto-Central schools (CCRSB) will be closed. More information on the status of offices and worksites will be made by 6:30 am on Monday.
All schools and worksites of the Cape Breton-Victoria Regional Centre for Education.
CSAP will cancel classes for all schools in the Metro and North cluster.
StFX to remain closed. Essential services will remain open. An update on Tuesday’s operations will come no later than 7 p.m. on Monday evening.
Mount Saint Vincent University. Classes offered on-campus are cancelled, unless a shift online has been communicated by the instructor. Classes offered online may continue, technology permitting.
Dalhousie University’s Halifax and Truro campuses
St. Mary’s University
Cape Breton University
NEW – NSCC Digby Learning Centre
NEW- NSCC Lunenburg campus
NEW- NSCC Kingstec Campus
NSCC Strait Area Campus and the Wagmatcook Learning Centre.
NSCC Pictou and Cumberland Campus
NSCC Metro Campuses (Ivany, Aviation and Akerley)
NSCC Marconi Campus
Provincial government offices in Pictou, Antigonish, Inverness, Guysborough, Victoria and Richmond counties and Cape Breton Regional Municipality will be closed due to ongoing impacts of the winter storm.
Offices in the following areas will also remain closed:
- Halifax Regional Municipality
- Hants County
- Colchester County
- Cumberland County
Offices in Lunenburg, Kings, Annapolis, Yarmouth, Digby, Shelburne and Queens counties will open as usual.
All RCMP offices in Northeast Nova are closed for in-person, front counter services today, to help with snow removal. Officers will continue to respond to calls as usual.
Highway closures
Department of Public Works says road conditions continue to improve across mainland Nova Scotia, but many roads are still partially or completely snow covered.
Give yourself plenty of travel time and leave space for plows.
The Confederation Bridge has now reopened.
Due to heavy snow fall and white out conditions, Highway 104 from Amherst to the Cobequid Pass toll station is impassable in both directions. Avoid the area.
Route 316 in the St. Andrews area in Antigonish County is down to one lane until further notice due to extreme weather conditions.
Route 245 in Antigonish County is currently impassable due to extreme weather conditions.
The following roads in Inverness County are closed until further notice due to extreme weather and snow drifts. Mabou Coal Mines Road / Gillis Road / Broad Cove Marsh Road (near MacLeod’s camp site)
Massive snow drifts block road in Dundee, Richmond County
For the latest road conditions, call 511 or visit 511.novascotia.ca
Airport Delays
The arrivals and departures board at the Halifax airport is painted in red with delays and cancellations due to the storm.
“Our airline partners have delayed or cancelled most of the flights scheduled. Passengers who are expecting to fly Saturday or Sunday are advised to check with their airline directly on the status of their flight.”
Runway clearing at the airport
Meantime, all flights at the Sydney airport have been cancelled for Monday.
“Thank you to the airport maintenance staff that have been putting in endless hours removing snow to ensure that service will be able to resume as soon as it is safe to do so. Their undeniable dedication to the airport is very much appreciated.” – J.A. Douglas McCurdy Airport
Officials are asking you to check the flight status on the Air Canada website for flights after Monday.
Nova Scotia Power
For the latest outage updates and information
During winter storms, Nova Scotians are reminded to:
– monitor local weather forecasts
– avoid unnecessary travel and check 511 regularly
– have an emergency kit ready
– stay inside or seek shelter
– get out of the wind to avoid wind chill
– bring pets inside and ensure livestock have shelter and drinking water
– wear several warm layers
– use battery-powered lights or glow sticks and avoid candles
– never use barbecues, camping stoves or fuel-powered heaters indoors
– keep portable generators outside and away from windows
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