Winter weather made a sudden return to Atlantic Canada on Tuesday, bringing snow, ice pellets, and freezing rain across parts of the region. Slippery roads resulted in school closures in Nova Scotia, including the Halifax regional school authority. Traffic in Halifax was significantly impacted, with major bridges across the harbour congested during the morning commute.
“It’s not unexpected for this time of year, it’s just not really desired,” said Ian Hubbard, a meteorologist with Environment Canada, in an interview. The weather forecast called for gusty winds and accumulations of 4 to 9 centimetres of wet snow and ice pellets in mainland Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland. The snow is expected to gradually taper off overnight, with sunny and warmer conditions expected by Thursday in many areas.
While March 20 marked the first official day of spring, it’s common for the region to experience a few snowy days leading up to Easter. Hubbard noted that four storm systems had already hit Atlantic Canada before Tuesday, two of which brought snow and freezing rain. Areas like Sydney, N.S., saw up to 42 cm of snow, Charlottetown received 34 cm, and Moncton recorded nearly 40 cm.
Hubbard explained that the return of winter this year might be more noticeable due to the record-breaking temperatures experienced on March 15, when Halifax Airport hit almost 13°C, and crocuses started blooming across the province.
On a positive note, the storms have increased the moisture levels in the ground, which could help reduce the risk of spring wildfires. Last year, a wildfire in Halifax’s western suburbs forced the evacuation of 16,400 people and destroyed 200 structures. “Any precipitation will certainly add to the overall amount of moisture in the soil, which is always important in preventing fires,” Hubbard added.
Source: Swifteradio.com
