First accumulative snowfall for most of Nova Scotia to start later Sunday

It’s time to break out the snow boots. 

While many communities across Nova Scotia have only had a dusting of snow so far this season, the first accumulating snow for most of the province is set to start falling Sunday night.

Allister Aalders, SaltWire weather specialist, said two areas of low pressure will come together and pass south of Nova Scotia, putting most of the province on the colder side of the system, resulting in accumulating snow for a large portion of the province. 

“Because it’s two pieces of energy combining together and there’s an area of high pressure trying to drive some drier air in ahead of it, it looks like there will be two waves to it,” Aalders said in an interview Sunday afternoon. 

Aalders said the first wave will arrive later Sunday over the western half of Nova Scotia. 

For areas like southwestern Nova Scotia, especially through Queens, Shelburne and Yarmouth counties, Aalders said it will most likely be a mix of rain and snow or just rain. 

But for those in Halifax, Aalders said to expect to see periods of snow Sunday evening, with a mix of a bit of rain along the coast. 

“Then, the second area of low pressure catches up and combines and we start to see more widespread precipitation develop across the province overnight and into Monday morning,” Aalders said. 

Aalders said the second wave will bring snow for most of Nova Scotia.

When looking at Halifax, Aalders said it looks like the city centre will see up to 10 cm of snow.

“But if it remains a bit cooler, because I do think in the city there could be a bit of mixing with rain, we could see 10 to 15 centimetres,” he said. 

However, Aalders said most of Nova Scotia is looking at getting 10 to 15 cm of snow, adding there could be local amounts of up to 20 cm for locations over higher terrain. 

“And it’s possible that because of the return onshore flurries and snowsqualls Monday night into Tuesday that some of those higher elevations in Annapolis Valley, the north shore and the Cape Breton highlands could see 20 to 25 centimetres of snow,” he said. 

But for southwestern Nova Scotia, the remainder of the Atlantic coast in Nova Scotia, parts of the eastern shore and into Cape Breton, it will likely be a mix of rain and snow with rain most likely along the coast. 

“Right along the coast, it’s going to be very hard for the snow to accumulate,” Aalders said. 

Aalders said where there’s a mix of snow and rain, he expects there to only be a trace to five cm of snow with three mm of rain at most. 

For areas such as the South Shore, the extreme eastern shore and into the Atlantic coast of Cape Breton, Aalders said it looks like there will be 10 to 25 mm of rain.

Some good news, however, for those who need to travel as the snow falls? 

“Wind is really not a major concern,” Aalders said, noting winds will gust between 30 and 50 km/h. 

Aalders cautioned that there could still be reduced visibility and poor travel conditions on Monday, and possibly into Tuesday for some areas, but said the threat of whiteout conditions is “not significant.” 

Environment Canada has issued special weather statements for all counties of Nova Scotia except Yarmouth and Shelburne counties. 

And for those who like the sight of snow to help get them in the festive spirit, Aalders had some additional good news.

“I think a lot of people, whether you love or hate the snow, people like to have a bit of snow around in the lead-up to Christmas. And it does look like that as the system departs,” he said, noting daytime highs will be close to or just above the freezing mark this week. 

“But no guarantee that it stays in the lead-up to Christmas,” Aalders said with a laugh.