Cold warnings issued for parts of N.S.; Halifax bracing for 25 cm of snow

CITYnews halifax / By Mark Hodgins

Parts of Nova Scotia are under weather warnings with the entire province expected to feel freezing temperatures this weekend — and more snow could be on the way.

Environment Canada issued cold weather warnings for Cumberland and northern Colchester counties, with wind chill values expected in the range of -25 to -30 beginning Saturday morning through Sunday.

A special weather statement has been issued for the Halifax area, calling for a system to bring up to 25 cm of snow and some strong winds starting Sunday night through to Tuesday morning.

The municipality is also expected to see wind chills in the -20s Friday night to Sunday.

“It’s not uncommon to have wind chills in this range at times in the winter, but the elevated wind chills do increase the risk of hypothermia and frostbite; exposed skin can freeze in as little as 10 minutes,” said CityNews Halifax meteorologist Allister Aalders.

In addition to the frigid weather, a system developing over the weekend is expected to bring more snow to the province beginning late Sunday and continuing through Monday.

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“This could be a long-duration snowfall event,” Aalders explained. “It’s possible that at a minimum we could see up to 20 cm of snow in the Halifax area by early Tuesday, with the possibility that amounts could go even higher.”

Aalders says people should keep an eye on the forecast over the weekend.