Environment Canada put weather warnings in place for much of the Maritimes on Tuesday morning, with some schools and services closing for the day.
Weather Warnings
Environment Canada issued wind warnings for most of Nova Scotia and P.E.I. Tuesday morning, but many of those are no longer in place.
In Nova Scotia, wind warnings remain in place for Yarmouth County and Victoria County. Environment Canada warns of maximum gusts reaching anywhere between 80km/h to 110km/h along parts of the coast.
A winter storm warning also remains in place for Inverness County. Environment Canada is expecting anywhere between 25 to 45 centimetres of snow, with higher amounts possible over the highlands and in squalls. Maximum wind gusts in that area are expected to reach 80km/h as well.
A blowing snow advisory was in effect for parts of New Brunswick including Campbellton and the eastern half of Restigouche County. That advisory has since been lifted. Environment Canada warns that visibility may be significantly reduced in some areas.
Prince Edward Island was under a wind warning on Tuesday morning, but that warning is no longer in place either.
Environment Canada adds high winds can often lead to power outages and fallen tree branches. Loose objects may also be tossed by the wind.
Travel impacts
Weather conditions have been a factor in at least three collisions Tuesday, including one that involved six vehicles.
Nova Scotia RCMP says it received a report of a multi-vehicle collision around 11:30 a.m. on Highway 106 at the Pictou Causeway in Pictou, N.S.
A social media post by RCMP at 12:17 p.m. said the causeway was closed to traffic in both directions.
Road closure: Hwy. 106 at the #Pictou Causeway is closed in both directions due to a collision. Anyone using the roads today is asked to please drive with caution. Please avoid the area as possible and expect delays. pic.twitter.com/blUliNQerh
— RCMP Nova Scotia (@RCMPNS) February 18, 2025
In an email to CTV Atlantic, Cpl. Carlie McCann confirmed six vehicles were involved in the crash. However, she couldn’t confirm if there were any injuries.
The causeway reopened around 3:30 p.m., according to RCMP.
A section of Highway 102 in Stewiacke, N.S., was also closed in both directions for a short time Tuesday morning following two separate crashes in the area.
RCMP responded to the first crash around 7:15 a.m., which resulted in the closure of the northbound lane.
McCann said while officers were on scene, a second crash happened in the same area around 10 a.m., prompting the highway to close in both directions.
The highway fully reopened around 11:20 a.m.
Update 3: Hwy. 102 has reopened in both directions at Stewiacke. Please continue to drive with caution throughout Nova Scotia. pic.twitter.com/nvYqKCBheq
— RCMP Nova Scotia (@RCMPNS) February 18, 2025
“EHS attended but I don’t have information at this time about any reported injuries,” said McCann in an email to CTV Atlantic.
“Anyone using the roads today is encouraged consider winter driving safety - drive with caution, give yourself lots of time to get to your destination without rushing, keep your eyes on the road, and consider not making non-essential trips out when weather isn’t good for driving.”
In New Brunswick, a section of Route 11 between Shediac and Cocagne was temporarily closed Tuesday due to near zero visibility caused by whiteout conditions. The closure forced motorists to take lengthy detours.
The RCMP on Prince Edward Island say they’ve responded to more than a dozen collisions since Monday due to significant snow drifts and whiteout conditions.
ROAD CONDITIONS UPDATE
— RCMP P.E.I. (@RCMPPEI) February 18, 2025
PEI RCMP are seeing high winds and blowing snow continuing to cause dangerous driving conditions. PEI RCMP will once again be patrolling Island roads to ensure your safety, but we need you to do your part and drive aware, drive safe. pic.twitter.com/OAO7lJEL8X
Closures and cancellations
Nova Scotia
Tri-County Regional Centre for Education: All schools are closed.
South Shore Regional Centre for Education: All schools are closed.
Chignecto-Central Regional Centre for Education: All schools (Cumberland, Colchester, Pictou counties and the Municipality of East Hants) are closed. Office and worksites will be open.
Strait Regional Centre for Education: Classes are cancelled for a number of schools.
CSAP: Classes are cancelled in the Metro, Clare, Argyle, Greenwood, Bridgewater, Cheticamp, and Truro areas.
The Halifax Regional Municipality has lifted the overnight winter parking ban in both Zone 1 and Zone 2. The municipality warns that sidewalks remain icy.
New Brunswick
The Anglophone West School District: Schools in Zones 1-4 are closed.
Anglophone North School District: All schools are closed.
Anglophone East School District: All schools are closed.
Francophone South School District: Most schools are closed, schools in Fredericton, Oromocto, and Quispamsis are open. Schools in Saint John are open, with busses delayed 75 minutes.
Francophone Northeast School District: All schools are closed.
Francophone Northwest School District: All schools are closed
Prince Edward Island
P.E.I. Public Schools Branch: All schools are closed.
P.E.I. French Language School Board: All schools are closed.
UPEI: All campuses closed.
All provincial civil service offices across P.E.I. will be closed for the day.
All non-essential services in Summerside are closed for the day, including City Hall.
There is a bridge traffic restriction on the Confederation Bridge, meaning certain classes of vehicles are restricted from crossing until the high winds slow down.
Canada Post has stopped all deliveries on P.E.I. on Tuesday due to whiteout conditions. Deliveries will resume once conditions improve.
Power outages
As of 5 p.m., Nova Scotia Power is reporting 60 active outages affecting 697 customers.
NB Power is reporting seven active outages affecting 113 customers as of 5 p.m. The bulk of those outages are in the Richibouctou-Village area.
Maritime Electric is reporting three customers out of power as of 5 p.m.
