Flash freeze warning issued for most of mainland Nova Scotia, Cape Breton

Environment Canada has issued a flash freeze warning for most of mainland Nova Scotia and all of Cape Breton. Heavy rains are expected to give way to rapidly plunging temperatures Saturday.

The weather agency says temperatures will dip to around10 Cby this evening.

"Untreated surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways, and parking lots may become icy, slippery, and hazardous," it said. "Be prepared to adjust your driving with changing road conditions."

As of 1:57 p.m. AT, the flash freeze warning applies to all counties, except forAnnapolis, Digby, Kings andYarmouthcounties.

Counties in eastern Nova Scotia and Cape Breton have rainfall warnings, with25 to 50 millimetres of rain expected.

Environment Canada warns that flooding is possible in low-lying areas.

It says the rain ended over western Nova Scotia this morning and will end later this afternoon on the eastern mainland and Cape Breton.

RCMP are alerting drivers to the likelihood of poor driving conditions.

Halifax Transit cancelledservice at 1 p.m. because of the weather conditions.

Municipal recreation facilities and libraries closed at noon.

Halifax Shopping Centre, Mic Mac Mall and Sunnyside Mall all closed at noon Saturday.

Erica Fleck, the director of emergency management for the HRM, said she hadalready receivedreports by early afternoon of freezing conditions and broken tree branches in some areas. Fleck said similar conditions were expected in the HRM later Saturday afternoon.

"Once the ice starts freezing on lines and trees ... that is really where we start to see issues," Fleck said.

"We are very concerned about that icing portion of this weather event."