Heavy Rain Hits Halifax, Snowfall Warnings Issued Across Nova Scotia

A significant late fall nor’easter impacted the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) on the night of November 7, 2023, bringing heavy rain that continued into the morning hours of November 8. The region was under a special weather statement, with urban areas expecting an additional rainfall accumulation of between 30 to 40 millimetres before conditions begin to improve in the afternoon.

According to Allistar Aalders, a weather specialist with 95.7 NewsRadio, the conditions created a challenging morning commute. “Even though this has been largely a rain event for Halifax, it is a messy morning with wet roads and increasing north to northwesterly winds,” he noted. As temperatures dropped inland, the rain was expected to mix with wet snow, particularly in areas further from the coast, leading to potential snowfall reaching up to 10 centimetres.

Coastal Flooding and Snowfall Alerts

The impact of the storm extended beyond rainfall. Coastal areas from Herring Cove to Cape Sable Island faced a coastal flooding warning due to large waves and a significant tidal surge expected to coincide with an “exceedingly high” tide on Wednesday morning. Environment Canada cautioned residents about possible minor shoreline and beach erosion as a result of these conditions.

Snowfall warnings were also issued for several counties, including Digby, Annapolis, Kings, Hants, Colchester, Pictou, Antigonish, and Cumberland. The national forecaster indicated that these areas could receive up to 10 centimetres of wet, heavy snow, which may disrupt travel, especially during the morning rush hour.

Northern Cape Breton was particularly hard-hit, with Environment Canada issuing an orange-level alert for parts of the region. This designation indicates severe weather conditions are likely, with forecasts predicting between 30 to 50 centimetres of snow in those areas.

As the storm progresses, residents are advised to remain vigilant and take appropriate precautions. The combination of heavy rain, potential flooding, and significant snowfall presents various hazards, particularly for travelers and those living in areas prone to coastal erosion.