Service Nova Scotia announcement:
"The Registry of Motor Vehicles office in Shelburne is closed today, Feb. 2, because of weather and road conditions.
All road tests scheduled for Shelburne today are cancelled, and will be rescheduled."
More marmot meteorology: New Brunswick's newest forecaster, Oromocto Ollie, appeared at 10:00 a.m. and did not see her shadow.
A timely reminder from police forces throughout the region: with schools closed in most areas in expectation of this afternoon's storm - motorists should be extra cautious of children playing in fresh snow. Parents should also encourage their kids to avoid playing in snowbanks along roadsides. And for skiers and toboganners - a helment is a must!
Sick of winter? Hope this fun fact warms you up: There's 138 days left until summer officially starts on June 21, 2011.
One flight that's not cancelled yet is Halifax to Holguin/Havana, Cuba. Departing at 15:15, for the winter weary.
All branches of the Heritage Credit Union will close at 2 p.m.
More service closures to announce:
Access Nova Scotia, Registry of Motor Vehicles and Land Registration offices in Yarmouth, Digby, Weymouth, Liverpool and Bridgewater are closed today, Feb. 2, because of weather and road conditions.
Global Maritimes reporter Marie Adsett is out on the streets of Halifax, working on a full storm report for the evening news:
"People were still digging out from round one of two systems forceasted for Nova Scotia when round two started. A steady snowfall is causing poor visibility and greasy road conditions. Although many students are making the most of an unexpected day off by sledding at the pit in North end Halifax.
School Closures Update:
Mount Saint Vincent University will be closing Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. because of the coming storm.
Due to weather conditions, all of Halifax Public Libraries' branches will close at 1 p.m. today.
This just in: Mic Mac Mall in Dartmouth will close its doors at 1:00 p.m.
University Closures
Dalhousie University iand the University of King's College are cancelling all classes and services, effective 12:30.
Saint Mary's University has also closed its door. Check the university website after 5:30 a.m. for further information regarding classes and services.
HRM asks residents scheduled for garbage and recycling pick ups during the storm to keep their bins and bags out of the path of snow removal vehicles and recommends not putting them out the night before . You may have to get up a little bit early to put them out before 7a.m.
Consider the collectors' safety and don't make them climb over snowbanks: put your bins and bags beside the end of your driveway.
Only eight minutes left to catch that flight from Halifax to Havana: Most everything else out of YYZ is now cancelled.
Halifax Regional Police reports 18 traffic accidents since midnight. Sgt. Brian Palmeter says weather is probably a factor in many cases. “It’s a little higher than normal,” Palmeter says, “but, given the weather, it’s not too bad.”
There has been a head-on collision on the 118, between exits 17 and 18 near Porter's Lake. Halifax RCMP says traffic is limited to one lane and drivers should expect delays until after 5 p.m. No further details at this time.
Police are urging the public to stay off main roads as driving conditions become more treacherous.