Another blast of winter weather is headed for the Maritimes today, one week after a snowfall in metro caused major traffic jams and dozens of accidents.
It was a mix of snow and freezing rain which caused the chaos, and HRM is in for similar conditions today.
The ominous forecast has prompted several school boards to cancel classes for the day. A complete list of closures and cancellations can be found
here.
"That's not going to be very pleasant," said News 95.7 meteorologist Richard Zurawski. "It's the drive home on a Friday night. You're really going to have to look out for this weather."
Environment Canada has a rainfall warning in effect for southern Nova Scotia, and Halifax metro. Before the rain sets in, Zurawski says we'll get up to 10 cm of snow that will become freezing rain as the temperatures rise. Through the afternoon and evening, we're in for ice pellets and freezing rain switching over to rain, with up to 30mm expected by Saturday morning.
Zurawski says the poor weather conditions will be complicated by the frozen ground and rising temperatures.
"Even though the air temperature is going to go up to seven degrees overnight the ground is still going to stay cold," said Zurawski. "So, anything that comes down in the form of rain, you can count on getting a slippery icy surface just below the wet stuff."
Environment Canada warns strong southeast winds will gust up to 110 km/h from Margaree Harbour to Bay St.
Lawrence beginning late this evening. On the mainland, the winds will reach about 60 km/hr.