Storm brings snow, wind and rain to the Maritimes; some N.B. schools closed Thursday

A number of weather warnings remain in place across the Maritimes Thursday due to an early December storm that’s bringing snow, strong winds and rain to the region.

Main Street is pictured as snow falls in downtown Moncton, N.B., on Dec. 5, 2024. (Derek Haggett/CTV Atlantic)

Weather warnings

Snowfall warnings are in place across central and northern New Brunswick, where 15 to 25 cm is expected to fall until Thursday evening.

“Heavy snow will move northeast across the province today. Snow will be heaviest later this morning for western New Brunswick, and this afternoon into this evening for the northeast,” the warning reads.

“Accumulations will vary considerably over short distances, as some areas may become mixed with rain this afternoon. Windy conditions can also be expected for some coastal areas.”

The Hartland Covered Bridge is pictured as snow falls in Hartland, N.B., on Dec. 5, 2024. (Dan Appleby/CTV Atlantic)

In Nova Scotia, wind warnings are in effect for eastern areas of the province. Southeasterly winds could reach up to 90 km/h Thursday afternoon and evening. A Les Suêtes wind warning is also in effect for Inverness County - Mabou and northern Cape Breton, where winds could reach up to 150 km/h.

A wind warning is in place in P.E.I.’s Kings County, where maximum southeasterly wind gusts could reach 90 km/h.

Snow is pictured on Main Street in Hartland, N.B., on Dec. 5, 2024. (Dan Appleby/CTV Atlantic)

CTV Atlantic meteorologist Kalin Mitchell has compiled a province-by-province look at what to expect from Thursday's storm here.

An outdoor nativity display is downtown Moncton, N.B., is pictured covered in snow in Moncton, N.B., on Dec. 5, 2024. (Derek Haggett/CTV Atlantic)

Schools

Several schools in the northwest region of New Brunswick were closed Thursday due to the weather. A full list can be found here.

A person is pictured shoveling snow on Main Street in Woodstock, N.B., on Dec. 5, 2024. (Dan Appleby/CTV Atlantic)

Schools in Nova Scotia were closed for a progress conference and teacher professional practice day. There were no school closures on P.E.I.

Transportation

Northumberland Ferries says all departures from Wood Islands, P.E.I., and Caribou, N.S., have been cancelled Thursday due to the weather.

The ferry resumed service for the first time in more than two months on Wednesday, though a “technical issue” on MV Confederation caused it to go out of service after just a few hours.

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Northumberland Ferries said in a post on social media Wednesday night that the technical issue has been resolved and weather conditions are being closely monitored for Friday.

The Nova Scotia RCMP said Highway 102 between Fall River and the Halifax Stanfield International Airport was slippery Thursday morning and police were responding to collisions in the area. Motorists were being asked to slow down during their commute.

The Confederation Bridge has restricted certain classes of vehicles from crossing until the current high wind situation changes.

The RCMP on P.E.I. said Thursday afternoon road conditions were worsening in several locations across the province with snow falling.

Power

There are no significant power outages in the Maritimes Thursday afternoon.

As of 6:30 p.m., there were nine outages in Nova Scotia affecting 22 customers, seven outages in New Brunswick affecting 469 customers and three customers without power on P.E.I.