Expect messy conditions as snowfall warning continues for Halifax area (update)

The Halifax area is getting its first significant snowfall of the year. 

As off 11 a.m. Friday, a snowfall warning remains in effect for the Halifax area, along with the rest of the province.

The first flakes started falling shortly after sunrise, and it's expected to continue all day.

CityNews weather specialist Denise Andreacchi said we can expect an accumulation of about a centimetre an hour.

We should see a total of between 10 and 20 cm by late Friday or early Saturday, and how much you get will depend on where you are.

“We're hovering around the freezing mark today and tonight,” Andreacchi explained. 

“There may be a bit of mixing with rain along the coast, so some areas closer to the shoreline may see closer to 10 cm, then inland we may get into that 20+ cm of snow.”

Wind shouldn't be a major factor, with gusts forecast to peak at 40 km/h today and up to 50 km/h tonight, which is well below warning criteria.

But those blustery conditions could contribute to a messy drive home.

“The winds may pick up later tonight and that's when we'll have concern for some blowing or drifting snow,” Andreacchi said.

“Not only will we continue to see the accumulation on the roads, but also poor visibility at times, so the evening drive might be a bit trickier than this morning one was.”

Schools are closed in the Halifax area and the winter parking ban will be enforced in both zones overnight.

There are also other closures and cancellations.

Andreacchi said the bulk of the snow should wrap up overnight, but there may be some lingering flurries Saturday morning.

By Saturday afternoon, expect sunny breaks and a high near 0.