Strong nor'easter hits N.S. with high winds and blowing snow

An incomingnor'easterarrived inNova Scotia Tuesday afternoon andis expected tocontinueinto Wednesday.

The heaviest snow is most likely to fall across southern and eastern Nova Scotia, withamounts ranging from near 10 to 25 centimetresmost likely. Further north, amounts will drop off quickly, but could generallyrange from near five to 10centimetres.

The storm will be rapidly strengthening as it tracks through our region, which means thatwinds will also be a factor. With northeast winds set to gust between 60 and 70 km/h and up to 80 km/h along parts of the coast, blowing and drifting snow will be an issue beginning Tuesday evening and continuing into Wednesday for eastern areas.

Snow will track in from west to east through Tuesday afternoon arriving in Halifax and central areas aroundthe afternooncommute bringing blowing snow as winds ramp up.

In Halifax, the municipality says it will enforce its overnight winter parking ban on Wednesday from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. The municipality suspended Halifax Transit services due to weather conditions. In a news release on Tuesday night, the municipality said the service would resume once conditions improve.

The snow will continue to track eastward into Cape Breton on Tuesday evening. For most of the province, the heaviest snow and strongest winds are set for Tuesday and early overnight hours.

The snow will depart through the overnight hours and into Wednesday morning, however brisk northerly winds will linger throughout the day, especially for the Northumberland Shore and Cape Breton where blowing snow will continue to be a factor.

The cold and breezy northerly winds will bring onshore flurries and the risk of snow squalls throughout Wednesday afternoon, overnight and into Thursday for the Northumberland Shore and Cape Breton, with additional snowfall likely, especially in Inverness County.

WATCH | Ryan Snoddon's nor'easter forecast

Nor'easter tracking south of Nova Scotia

8 months ago

Duration 2:39

Meteorologist Ryan Snoddon says snow and blowing snow is expected to linger into Cape Breton on Wednesday.