Maritimes winter storm shutters some schools, leaves thousands without power

A winter storm with snow and high winds has caused power outages and school closures in the Maritime provinces, though conditions are returning to normal.

By early afternoon Wednesday, there were around 9,700 customers affected in Nova Scotia and 2,300 in New Brunswick, both down from earlier totals. 

P.E.I., which had more than 1,000 customers affected at one point, was back to normal.

Weather warnings that had been in place in all three provinces are over.

New Brunswick

Schools and some health services have closed in much of New Brunswick, and the Vitalité Health Network temporarily closed its child-youth team offices and Public Health offices, including walk-in addiction services, in Caraquet, Shippagan and Tracadie until 1 p.m. AT.

Precipitation was expected to switch to a mix of snow and rain by the afternoon.

“Be prepared to adjust your driving with changing road conditions,” Environment Canada said in a statement. 

The warning said highways, walkways and parking lots could become difficult to navigate as snow builds up. 

Nova Scotia

In Nova Scotia, up to 40 centimetres of snow had been expected to fall over Cape Breton, and winds were expected to gust up to 100 km/h.

Some of the largest power outages were scattered across the eastern part of the mainland and Cape Breton.

Schools were cancelled or delayed in some areas.

P.E.I.

Schools are closed across P.E.I., and post-secondary education and many offices delayed opening.

Transportation had been affected during the storm, but ferries and the Confederation Bridge have returned to normal and most flights are on time at the Charlottetown airport.