Mix of spring snow, rain closes some Nova Scotia schools Friday
A mix of snow and rain that began Thursday morning and afternoon in the Maritimes has led to some messy road conditions in the region.
The messy mix caused several schools in eastern Nova Scotia to close or delay opening Friday morning.
CLOSURES
Schools are closed in Richmond County, Inverness County and Port Hawkesbury, N.S. Classes are also cancelled at East Antigonish Education Centre/Academy in Monastery, N.S.
All Cape Breton-Victoria Regional Centre for Education schools are closed.
In New Brunswick, many school buses were delayed by an hour.
Friday is a professional development day for schools in Prince Edward Island’s Public Schools Branch. Parent-teacher interviews and PD day sessions were delayed until 9:30 a.m.
WEATHER WARNINGS
Snowfall warnings are still in place Friday afternoon in Sydney Metro and Cape Breton County and Victoria County, where 20 to 25 cm of snow accumulation is expected before tapering off in the afternoon.
Cape Breton resident Allan Baillie was happy to have his snow blower to help clear his driveway on Friday, but was dreaming of warmer months ahead.
"I'm looking forward to getting out on the river again with the warmer weather," he said.
Others in Cape Breton saw Friday's storm as an opportunity to cash in and help out.
"We're shovelling driveways, the stairs, cleaning off the cars and doing anything else we can to help," said JJ Watkins.
GOVERNMENT DELAYS
Provincial government offices in Nova Scotia’s Inverness, Richmond and Victoria counties and the Cape Breton Regional Municipality delayed opening until noon.
Cape Breton Regional Municipality’s city hall is closed for the day.
TRAVEL
Transit Cape Breton services were not operating Friday morning.
Christina Lamey, with the Cape Breton Regional Municipality, says the storm had a significant impact on services.
"It was touch and go on whether we'd be able to get transit on the road. It turns out we were not able to start transit until noon," she said.
Lamey says it will be well into the evening hours before all roads are cleared and sidewalks are plowed.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Bank of Canada ends pause on hikes, raises policy rate by 25 basis points
The Bank of Canada raised its overnight rate by 25 basis points to 4.75 per cent on Wednesday, its first increase since pausing hikes in January.

Wildfire smoke blankets Ontario, Quebec, air quality plummets, affects activities
Poor air quality is forecast to persist into the weekend across parts of Ontario, as plumes of wildfire smoke blanket the province and prompt school boards to limit outdoor activities.
Canadians want revenge on Bernardo, but that's not how prison works: ex-official
One of the architects of the law that governs Canada's prison system says it's understandable people want revenge on killer and serial rapist Paul Bernardo, but that's not what the prison system is designed for.
Indigo founder Heather Reisman retires, almost half of board steps down
Indigo founder Heather Reisman announced she is retiring as almost half of the book retailer's board of directors steps down.
Kids and social media: Tips for developing positive habits before it's too late
With social media ever-present in modern life, figuring out when and how to introduce it to children is something every parent will have to deal with eventually. CTV's Your Morning spoke to a child-life specialist about how parents can have that conversation and be positive role models too.
'We've never seen this before': Canada's unprecedented fire season adds pressure to crews
The start to wildfire season is adding pressure to fire crews who for some have been working the last month straight to protect communities in Canada.
Sleep, don't scroll: Tips to avoid sleep procrastination
Being a 'sleep procrastinator' might not only make you grumpy the next day, it can put your health at risk. A sleep expert shares tips for making sure bedtime is shut-eye time.
Prince Harry back in court for second day of grilling over U.K. tabloid claims
Prince Harry was back in the witness box at the High Court in London on Wednesday for a second day of grilling over his allegations that British tabloids targeted him with phone-hacking and other unlawful behaviour.
WATCH | Police chase 10-year-old driver on Michigan highway
A 10-year-old driving a stolen Buick led Michigan police on a highway chase last month, newly released video shows.