Freezing rain warning in effect for HRM, HRCE to dismiss students early

CITYnews halifax / By Dan Ahlstrand

The bulletin from the national forecaster states that the freezing rain will be preceded by accumulating snow and ice pellets, which are likely to exacerbate hazards for motorists during the afternoon commute. Conditions will improve in the evening as temperatures rise well above zero and precipitation transitions to rain. Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways, and parking lots may become icy and slippery, and utility outages may occur.

95.7 NewsRadio Weather Specialist Allister Aalders said precipitation on Thursday will begin around noon with flurries. From 3 pm to 6 pm, it will switch over, first to ice pellets and then to freezing rain, creating slippery road conditions during the afternoon commute.

“Precipitation amounts will not be significant,” said Aalders, “but this will be problematic for the afternoon commute.”

“You will want to use extra caution on the roads and sidewalks today, tonight, and tomorrow morning,” he advised.

Halifax Regional Centre for Education has announced that All schools will dismiss students 2 hours earlier than their regular dismissal time.

Elsewhere, all schools within the Tri-County and Annapolis Valley Regional Centre for Education are closed for the day today. Schools with the South Shore Regional Centre for Education are dismissing 3 hours early All Chignecto central schools in Colchester County, Cumberland County, Pictou County and the Municipality of East Hants will dismiss two hours earlier than their regular dismissal times today.

Aalders also mentioned that winds will pick up on Thursday. Strong winds are expected to begin ranging from 40-60 km/h, increasing to 70 km/h later in the day.

Conditions are expected to improve into the evening and overnight hours as temperatures rise and the freezing rain switches over to showers.