Holiday travel could be tricky as Christmas storm approaches

There will be plenty of snow for Santa’s sleigh in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick this year.

A special weather statement remains in effect for HRM on Tuesday as a Christmas Eve storm moves through the region.

Environment Canada says the city and areas to the north of Halifax could see upwards of 20 cm of snow beginning this morning, continuing through the day and maybe into Christmas Day.

Areas in Western Mainland Nova Scotia, Cumberland County, and the Minas Shore were under snowfall warnings Tuesday morning. The national forecaster warned of 15-25 cm in those areas, with some snowfall rates as high as 5 cm an hour that can cause very poor visibility and travel conditions.

To the west, in New Brunswick, the Saint John region is also under a snowfall warning, with 25 cm plus on the way. Bigger centres like Moncton and Fredericton expect a little less, in the 10 to 15 cm range.

HRM says the overnight winter parking ban is in effect Wednesday morning from 1 a.m to 6 a.m in both Zone 1 and Zone 2.

The municipality says all vehicles must be parked off of city streets during these hours or risk being ticketed or towed.

HRM is also asking that planters, lawn decorations, and any other portable objects near sidewalks be removed, and anything that is too large to move should be marked with a reflector.