Halifax urges drivers to avoid parking on streets overnight in wake of snowfall

More than 200 plows and other snow-clearing machines are working to clean up during the Halifax region's first big snowfall of the year, and the city is asking for help from drivers.

Trevor Harvie, the superintendent of winter operations, wants people to avoid parking on the streets overnight, even though the winter parking ban is not yet in effect. 

"The faster we can move up and down the streets, the better," he said. "Just think before you park. Can a snowplow get by you if you park there? Can an emergency vehicle get by you down the street?"

• Get the latest forecast from CBC meteorologist Kalin Mitchell

Harvie says winter crews are coming across a lot of sports equipment, such hockey and basketball nets, that haven't been moved inside for the season. He says that's slowing down snow-clearing efforts. 

Harvie expects the work to continue through the night. 

"In the morning, they'll definitely be cleared for sure," he said of residential side streets. "Before that, though, you'll definitely see some activity there this evening."

Schools close

Most public schools in Nova Scotia have cancelled classes including:

• Halifax Regional School Board.
• Annapolis Valley Regional School Board.
• Tri-County Regional School Board's Digby County schools
• Chignecto-Central Regional School Board.
• Schools at Conseil scolaire acadien provincial in the Halifax area, Truro and Clare region.
• ​South Shore Regional School Board.

Schools in Yarmouth and Shelburne counties remained open.

• Check out the latest cancellations and closure at CBC's Storm Centre 

The messy mix of precipitation is making for a treacherous drive on most Nova Scotia roads and poor conditions are expected to continue into the evening, especially during rush hour.

It was a slow slog right across the Halifax region, especially across both bridges. Snow-covered roads also forced Halifax Transit to put the following routes on snow plan: 2, 6, 17, 18, 22, 42, 52, 57, 62.

Snow began to cover western New Brunswick early this morning, moving into southwest Nova Scotia and reaching eastern mainland Nova Scotia, P.E.I. and eastern New Brunswick before noon. 

The system is expected to dump 15 centimetres before tapering to a few showers or flurries. It will then move on to Cape Breton in the late afternoon.

​Shelburne and Yarmouth are the only counties not under a weather warning today.