An impending snowstorm has closed a handful of schools in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, while some schools will be dismissing two or three hours early.

Environment Canada says parts of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick may see up to 20 centimetres of snow by the end of Monday.

The storm comes after snow squall warnings were issued Sunday for Antigonish, Pictou, Victoria and parts of Inverness counties.

The winter work season for the provincial depot in Antigonish began Dec. 4. Operations supervisor Doug Cameron says they're ready for even the toughest challenge.

“I think the challenges are breakdowns,” Cameron said. “Each piece of gear has approximately 90 kilometres of road plowing and salt, and if we have breakdowns that just means we have to juggle gear.”

Visibility on the highways was reduced to near zero with the blowing and drifting snow. It's a trend that municipal plow operators paid particular attention to while on their rounds.

“I came in 6 a.m., it was hard to see,” said plow driver Hughie MacMillan. “Once you hit lower South River on the way on the new highway there, it was kind of hard to see.”

The squalls were localized, creating winter conditions throughout downtown Antigonish, but clear conditions to the west.    

It didn't take long for the shovels to come out and for people to reminisce about winters past.

“I suppose this is just how it is,” said Antigonish resident Paddy Briand. “It happens every year but I think the last couple we were spoiled. Of course, now we're in the deep freeze, so we're going to have to get used to it.

It's expected the snow squalls will continue moving eastward, adding about five centimetres of snow to the eastern mainland and up to 15 centimetres on western Cape Breton.

Officials say drivers should be on alert for rapidly changing conditions and heavy snowfall

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Dan MacIntosh and The Canadian Press.