UPDATED: 9:30 A.M. January 14th
A major winter storm is bearing down on Nova Scotia.
A winter storm warning has been issued for many parts of the province, including Halifax.
The region is also under a special weather statement ahead of the snow, rain, and high winds.
Environment Canada meteorologist Ian Hubbard says the rain will start on Friday morning before it switches to snow overnight.
“There’s also going to be a fair bit, or several hours worth, of freezing precipitation in between the snow and the rain with freezing rain and some ice pellets expected,” Hubbard says. “So, you could see some ice build-up with that as well.”
Halifax is expected to see up to 25 mm of rain and up to 15 cm of snow and ice pellets.
Winds are forecast to gust up to 90 km per hour for most of the province.
Halifax Regional Police are also reminding you the storm could reduce visibility. They recommend you drive to the conditions and keep a close eye out for pedestrians and cyclists.
Another winter storm is on the way. Visibility is reduced in snow and rain. @HfxRegPolice is reminding motorists to always drive to conditions, take extra precaution to use turn signals & watch for pedestrians as well as cyclists. #RoadSafety #NSStorm pic.twitter.com/GMw4mSANnl
— Halifax_Police (@HfxRegPolice) January 14, 2022
Preparations are also underway to help people who are without a warm place to stay during the storm.
The Halifax Warming Centre, which is located in the basement at St. Matthew’s Church on Barrington Street, will be open Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
It will operate from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday.
The George Dixon Centre will be open overnight Friday through Sunday from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m.
Hello all,
The WC will be OPEN 9am to 9pm today Jan 14, 9am to 9pm Jan 15 and 8am to 9pm Jan 16 at 1479 Barrington St.
HRM and DCS will be opening the George Dixon Centre Fri, Sat and Sun night as an overnight 9pm to 9am.
Please share this widely!
Thanks!
The WC Team— hfxWarmingCentre (@CentreHfx) January 14, 2022
Meantime, Nova Scotia Power is bracing for the winter storm.
It will launch its Emergency Operations Centre at noon on Friday, stationing crews throughout the province.
“Along with high winds, the weather forecasts are calling for a mix of rain, snow and freezing rain across the province beginning Friday and continuing into Saturday,” Storm Lead Sean Borden says in a news release. “There’s also a risk of temperatures dropping quickly. Crews are at the ready and will respond to whatever this storm brings.”
The utility recommends keeping a close watch on the forecast and having an emergency kit close by with flashlights, a battery-powered radio, and freshwater.
