A relentless snowfall, beginning Wednesday, continues to grip Nova Scotia, transforming the landscape and disrupting daily life across the province.
At the Stanfield International Airport Wednesday night, a Porter Airlines flight arriving from Toronto encountered trouble. The aircraft became disabled at the runway’s edge after landing, requiring passengers to be carefully transported to the terminal by bus – thankfully, no one was hurt.
While one runway remained operational, the disabled plane stayed in place overnight, awaiting removal. The ongoing snowfall has triggered widespread school closures, impacting students and families for a second consecutive day in many areas.
Universities across the region, including Dalhousie, Saint Mary’s, and Mount St. Vincent, opted for delayed openings, while St. F.X. pushed its start time to the afternoon. Halifax Regional Municipality crews are working tirelessly to clear main roads and sidewalks, urging residents to stay home unless absolutely necessary.
Municipal offices will also open late, at noon, but essential services – including the 311 helpline, winter operations, and Halifax Transit – are maintaining service. Bus routes are adjusted for the conditions, and Access-a-Bus riders should expect delays.
The regional council’s budget meeting has been postponed until 1 p.m., and waste collection scheduled for today has been moved to February 26th. Residents are asked to remove any bins currently at the curb to allow for effective snow clearing, as buried waste will not be collected.
Recreation facilities are also operating on a delay, with a decision expected by 10 a.m. regarding potential reopening at noon and the status of scheduled programs. However, Sackville Sports Stadium and the Captain William Spry Community Centre remain open.
Further west, in the Annapolis Valley and along the South Shore, the storm’s impact unfolded in stages. Initial snowfall on Wednesday gave way to a lull, only to intensify overnight, leading to a fresh wave of cancellations for transit services and schools.
Daycares also faced closures or delayed openings, and NSCC campuses in Kentville, Middleton, and Lawrencetown adjusted their schedules. Despite the widespread disruption, Nova Scotia Power reported only minor outages, affecting approximately 411 customers as of this morning.
