First snowfall of the season expected to arrive in Nova Scotia on Wednesday - Action News
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Nova ScotiaWeather

First snowfall of the season expected to arrive in Nova Scotia on Wednesday

CBC Meteorologist Ryan Snoddon warns the afternoon and evening commute may be slow going with greasy and slick roads.

Greasy and slick roads may complicate afternoon and evening commute

This picture shows backed up traffic and snowy roads.
Prepare for travel delays on Wednesday afternoon and evening as the first snowfall of the season hits the province. This file photo from 2022 shows a backed-up street in Halifax. (Ryan Snoddon/CBC)

Halloween is one of the spookiest days of the year, but it's the day after that'slooking a bit frightfulas the first snow of the season will fall across many parts of Nova Scotia.

The cold air greeting the trick-or-treaters Tuesday night will remain in place on Wednesday, just as a weather system tracks in from the south.

The result will be a slushy snowfallwith amounts ranging froma trace to five centimetres across the province. Areas along the coasts will likely see a mix of rain and snow,while areas inland andat higher elevationswill see more snowwith amounts of five to 10 centimetrespossible.

The snow and rain will begin early in the morning in the southwest of Nova Scotia and then spread eastward, arriving in Cape Breton by early afternoon.

This image shows a snowfall map of Nova Scotia with widespread snowfall totals of a trace to 5 c and the potential for 5 to 10 cm for inland.
Widespread snowfall will leave amounts ranging from a trace to five centimetres, with the potential for five to 10 centimetres for inland areas and higher terrain. (Ryan Snoddon/CBC)

Sinceit's early in the season, the ground is still relatively warm and temperatures will remain above freezing, it's difficult to predict just how much of that snow will melt on contact.

That said, it won't take much to turn the roads slick and greasy for the Wednesday afternoon and evening commute, especially for inland areas and higher terrain.

Drivers should plan accordingly and be sure to leave extra time and space.

This picture shows heavy traffic and snowy roads.
The first snowfall of the season in early November of 2020 led to heavy congestion, delayed transit, and a bridge closure in Halifax. (Olivier Lefebvre/Radio-Canada)

The first snowfall is always problematic for driversas folks take time to adjust to driving in slippery conditions.

Halifax Regional Police issued a news release on Tuesday reminding drivers to pay attention to the changing weather conditions that are forecastedand to makeadjustmentsaccordingly.

Drivers should remember to remove snow off their entire vehicle, as required by law, and leaveextra space between their vehicle and others if roads are slippery, the release said.

"Road conditions often warrant a significantly slower speed than what is posted. Remember to allow extra time for your commute so you do not feel that you need to rush," police said.

The other major factor on Wednesday will be that it's so early in the season, very few people have their winter tires on.

The good news is, the snow that does fall won't be sticking around for too long.

Temperatures will rebound Friday and into the weekend, with highs back into the double digits.

Add some good to your morning and evening.

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