It isn’t officially winter yet, but the HRM winter ban isn’t waiting, it goes into effect today.

HRM spokesperson Michalyn Thompson explains the ban runs until Mar. 31.

“As with last year, the Traffic Authority is continuing to pilot a new approach to the winter parking ban,” she says. “The ban will be enforced during declared snow and ice operations and when enforced will run from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m.”

There are a number of ways you can find out if the ban will be enforced, including listening to News 95.7, following hfxgov on twitter, calling 3-1-1. This year there’s a new service that lets you sign up for alerts, just go to citywatch@halifax.ca or call 490-7403.

Thompson says people seemed to get the message last year.

“We definitely issued fewer tickets last year than in previous years, I think there was a difference of just over 1,000 tickets,” she explains. “This year with the notifications we’re hoping that number will be even less.”

If you decide not to move your car off the street during a winter event, you could face a fine or even have your car towed.