Messy mix of weather hits the Maritimes, schools across P.E.I. closed

A messy weather system is bringing a mix of rain, snow, ice pellets and freezing rain to the Maritimes Thursday.

Several weather warnings remain in place and schools across Prince Edward Island are closed.

Weather warnings

In Nova Scotia, rainfall warnings are in place across most of the province. Environment Canada says up to 50 mm is possible.

“Rain will transition through freezing rain, ice pellets, and snow by this evening before precipitation tapers off tonight,” the warning reads.

A freezing warning is also in effect across central and northern mainland Nova Scotia, as well as the Annapolis Valley.

Environment Canada says the rain in those areas will transition to a period of freezing rain and ice pellets before tapering to light snow by the evening.

In New Brunswick, freezing rain warnings are in effect in Moncton and southeastern areas of the province.

“A mix of freezing rain and ice pellets will persist for several hours today then change to snow this afternoon before tapering to flurries or freezing drizzle this evening,” the warning reads. “Following the significant period of freezing precipitation, snowfall amounts of 10-to-15 cm are expected.

Snowfall warnings are in place in Kent County, Miramichi and area, and Kouchibouguac National Park, where up to 20 cm is possible.

In Charlotte County, Saint John County, and Kings County, rainfall warnings are in effect where 25-to-45 mm is possible.

Special weather statements are also in place in Fredericton and Southern York County, Grand Lake and Queens County and Oromocto and Sunbury County.

In P.E.I., a snowfall warning is in place for Prince County. Snow at times heavy is expected in the area for much of the day.

Meanwhile, freezing rain warnings are in place in Kings and Queens counties.

Schools

In addition to P.E.I.’s school closures, a handful are also closed in Nova Scotia.

In New Brunswick, students are off for March break.

Some Maritime universities are also closed, or are delaying opening.

Government closures

The province of P.E.I. says all provincial civil service offices in the West Prince and East Prince areas are closed for the day. All civil service offices in the Queens County and Charlottetown area also closed at 3:30 p.m. Civil service offices in Kings County will close at 4 p.m.

Health PEI

Health PEI has cancelled several appointments and services and health centres.

A full list can be found on the health authority's website.

Travel

Marine Atlantic has cancelled the Port aux Basques, N.L., to North Sydney, N.S., route at 11:45 a.m. The North Sydney to Port aux Basques route at 11:45 a.m. is also cancelled.

Several Maritime airports are advising travelers to check the status of their flight for potential weather-impacted delays or cancellations.

Power

Nova Scotia Power was reporting six outages impacting 49 customers as of 11:10 p.m.

In New Brunswick, NB Power was reporting five outages affecting 47 customers at that time.

Maritime Electric said it was experiencing outages affecting 2,228 customers.

Canada Post service

Canada Post has issued delivery service alerts for parts of New Brunswick.

A red delivery service alert is in effect for Baie-Sainte-Anne, Blackville, Bouctouche, Fredericton, Miramichi, Red Bank, Renous and Richibucto.

A yellow delivery service alert is in effect for Bathurst, Edmundston, Moncton and Oromocto.

“A red service alert means that we are suspending delivery for the day and not sending our delivery agents out or recalling them,” the alert reads. “A yellow service alert means we are going to do our best to deliver, but there may be delays.

Canada Post says delivery will resume once conditions improve and it is safe to do so.