Halifax Metro and Halifax County West

10:58 AM AST Thursday 02 January 2014

Blizzard warning for 

Halifax Metro and Halifax County West continued

 

Heavy snow combined with strong northeast winds are expected to give blizzard conditions overnight and Friday.

 

This is a warning that blizzard conditions with near-zero visibilities are expected or occurring in these regions. Monitor weather conditions..listen for updated statements.

 

A low pressure system will approach Nova Scotia tonight and track south of the province on Friday as it intensifies. Combined with the cold Arctic airmass currently over the region, this system will bring snow, near-zero visibilities in blowing snow, and cold wind chill values which together will give potentially dangerous winter conditions to the entire province on Friday. Travel will likely be significantly impacted in many areas.

 

At this time the heaviest snowfall amounts are expected over Southwestern Nova Scotia…The Annapolis Valley…And most of the Atlantic coast where total snowfall amounts of up to 30 centimetres..With locally higher amounts possible..Are expected by late Friday. These snowfall amounts combined with strong northeast winds and very cold temperatures will give ideal conditions for extensive blowing and drifting snow with frequent whiteout conditions. Blizzard warnings are in effect for these areas for tonight and Friday.

 

Elsewhere in the province..Although lesser snowfall amounts are expected, blowing and drifting snow giving near-zero visibilities at times will become an issue as northeast winds increase during the day Friday. As such, blowing snow warnings are now in effect for these areas, and it is possible winter storm or blizzard warnings may be extended for these areas later today once the full impact of this storm becomes more clear.

 

The very cold airmass over the region currently giving wind chill values near minus 35 over parts of Northern Nova Scotia this morning will ease today as winds diminish and temperatures warm slightly. However, cold windchill values below minus 25 are expected to persist over the entire province today and Friday.

 

Furthermore…Higher than normal water levels are expected along the Atlantic and Fundy coastlines of Nova Scotia during high tide on Friday. Heavy pounding surf is expected along the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia Friday afternoon and evening. 

 

Source: Release