Windy winter storm causing school closures, warnings for coastal flooding

CITYnewshalifax/ By Rachel Morgan & Steve Gow

Don’t put away those hats and mitts, it’s not spring just yet.

According to Environment Canada, Nova Scotia is under a yellow-level winter warning with hazardous winds and heavy snow expected late Monday morning until early Tuesday morning in the Halifax area.

“It will be a lot of snow in a short period of time, as we see snowfall rates of two to five centimeters or more per hour as we go later this afternoon and the first part of the evening, coupled with northeasterly winds gusting to 80 km/h or possibly higher along the coast,” explained CityNews meteorologist Allister Aalders.

Snow is expected to switch to rain showers overnight, and mix back into flurries by Tuesday morning.

Meantime, the southwest part of the province is under an orange-level winter warning with 20 to 30 cm of snow expected. It is possible some areas could get up to 50 cm of snow the heaviest bands.

Halifax-area schools

HRCE schools are open, but will dismiss students early.

• Bused students will be picked up two hours earlier than their regular dismissal time.
• Non-bused students will be dismissed at their regularly scheduled lunch hour.
• After school EXCEL, sports/activities and Halifax Regional Arts programs are cancelled.

Other Nova Scotia schools

Annapolis Valley, South Shore and Tri-County Regional Centres for Education have cancelled classes in advance of the storm.

Strait Regional Centre for Education schools have announced early dismissal from classes today due to predicted deteriorating weather. Students will begin dismissing at 1:00 p.m.

Chignecto Central Regional Centre for Education schools in Uniacke District, Cobequid District, Rawdon District, Kennetcook and Hants North will be closed due to pending weather forecast.

All other CCRCE schools will be dismissing two hours early. This means all schools will dismiss two hours earlier than their regular dismissal times.

All Cape Breton-Victoria Regional Centre for Education schools will dismiss one hour early, due to anticipated deteriorating weather conditions.

Coastal flooding statement

Atlantic coastlines of Shelburne, Queens, Lunenburg and Halifax counties are also cautioned about coastal flooding during high tide later Monday evening.

Environment Canada says maximum wave heights could be between 5 to 7 metres, breaking upon approach to shore.

Overnight parking ban

Halifax Regional Municipality is advising residents that the overnight winter parking ban will be enforced from 1 to 6 a.m. (in both Zone 1 – Central and Zone 2 – Non-Central), to allow crews to properly clear streets and sidewalks.

Winter wrap-up

According to weather data, between Dec. 1, 2024 and Feb. 28, 2025, there were 49 days with snow on the ground. From Dec. 1, 2025, to date, there have been 62 days with snow on the ground.