Posted:
Monday, Feb. 2, 2015 (Halifax, NS) – Rapidly changing weather conditions over the next 24 hours could pose challenges for road crews across the region. The Halifax Regional Municipality is advising residents to travel safely if they need to be out on the roads and sidewalks.
There are currently winter storm, rainfall and flash freeze warnings in effect for most of the province. It is already snowing in many parts of Halifax and roads are slick. Forecasts say that snowfall amounts could reach 25 centimetres in some areas, mixed with ice pellets and freezing rain.
Temperatures are expected to rise above freezing by midnight, bringing heavy rain and possible flooding, and then drop quickly again by Tuesday morning. High winds are also expected in some areas. These changing conditions will likely cause problems for crews and anyone out travelling tonight and tomorrow morning.
Crews are already out on the roads, but clearing will be complicated as afternoon traffic increases. Crews will continue on their routes later this evening and overnight, responding as best they can to the changing weather.
The evening commute will be slippery and crews will likely be dealing with flooding and ice issues Tuesday morning. Motorists should allow more time to travel to their destination and are urged to slow down.
Right now the storm is not expected to affect many municipal services. Residents with garbage, recyclable or green bin collection on Tuesdays should still put their waste out by 7 a.m. tomorrow, although collection may be delayed by the weather. Residents are also asked to set their bags and cans back from the curb so as not to interfere with clearing operations.
Some Halifax Transit bus routes are already operating on snow plans. Staff will continue to assess the changing weather and updates on individual bus routes will be available by following @hfxtransit on Twitter, which is also streamed online at http://www.halifax.ca/transit. If there are impacts on all Halifax Transit service, the public will be alerted through Public Service Announcements, on Twitter via @hfxtransit and @hfxgov, and on Halifax Transit’s website.
Residents should phone ahead to see if recreation programs or facilities are cancelled or closed tonight and tomorrow morning.
The overnight winter parking ban will be enforced from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3. For more information on municipal snow operations, residents can go to www.halifax.ca/snow or call 311.
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