Massive snowstorm closes most Nova Scotia schools, some services Monday

HALIFAX, N.S. — Schools in the areas hardest-hit by the weekend snowstorm will be closed Monday and there’s no lack of snow for winter activities.

The ​​​​Halifax Regional Centre for Education is keeping all of its schools closed for the day, as are: 

• Chignecto Central Regional Centre for Education
• Cape Breton-Victoria Regional Centre for Education
• Annapolis Valley Regional Centre for Educationj
• Strait Regional Centre for Education
• South Shore Regional Centre for Education
• Tri-County Regional Centre for Education schools in Digby County; Shelburne and Yarmouth counties are open

Conseil scolaire acadien provincial has cancelled classes in HRM, along with École acadienne de Pomquet, École Beau-Port, École acadienne de Truro, École NDA, École de Torbé, Bureau de Petit-de-Grat and Centre scolaire Étoile de l’Acadie.

The Nova Scotia Community College has shuttered all but its Burridge and Shelburn campuses for the day.

Dalhousie, Mount Saint Vincent, NSCAD, Saint Mary’s, Cape Breton, St. Francis Xavier universities and the the University of King’s College are closed Monday. 

In HRM, all municipal offices, including in-person customer service centres will be closed.

All essential services, including 311 and winter operations, are functioning. 

Halifax Transit is operating but has cancelled some early-morning routes. Check @hfxtransit on X or its website for the latest.

Many municipal recreation facilities will be closed Monday, so check before you head out. HRM says a decision will be made at 7 p.m. Monday regarding opening times for Tuesday.

Monday’s waste collection is rescheduled to Saturday and curbside garbage limits will be relaxed for Saturday, Feb. 10 and Monday, Feb. 12 for the missed collection days.

Nova Scotia Health posted online that some non-emergency services have been reduced in its Eastern, Northern and Central zones because of the slow-moving storm and poor road conditions. You can find a comprehensive list of cancellations and delays on Nova Scotia Health’s website.

Provincial government offices in Pictou, Antigonish, Inverness, Guysborough, Victoria and Richmond counties and Cape Breton Regional Municipality are closed for the day.

Offices in the these areas will delay opening until at least noon:

• Halifax Regional Municipality
• Hants County
• Colchester County
• Cumberland County

Offices in Lunenburg, Kings, Annapolis, Yarmouth, Digby, Shelburne and Queens counties will open as usual.

All of the 30 NSLC locations in the northeast region are closed Monday. Other stores are open regular hours. Find the latest information at http://mynslc.com/alerts.

The courthouses in Pictou, Antigonish, Port Hawkesbury and Sydney will be closed Monday. Court staff are in the process of contacting those with scheduled matters in those areas. 

The Halifax Shopping Centre and Mic Mac Mall will delay opening until noon.

Emergency shelters for those experiencing homelessness are open at:

• Halifax, 2029 North Park St.
• Dartmouth, 197-199 Windmill Rd.
• Lower Sackville (Beacon House Shelter), 125 Metropolitan Ave.
• Multi-Purpose Centre of the Halifax Forum, 6210 Young St.