Halifax schools closed, power outages due to freezing rain

Environment Canada forecast called for fluctuating temperatures

Freezing rain prompted cancellations and closures around the Halifax Regional Municipality on Friday.

Environment Canada issued warnings for rainfall, wind, freezing rain and higher than normal tide levels. Halifax was expected to receive five to 15 millimetres of rain throughout the day.

Many people in Halifax woke up Friday morning to find icy and slippery roads and sidewalks.

The majority of flights to and from Halifax Stanfield International Airport were cancelled. The airport advised passengers to check their flight status before leaving for the airport.


The Halifax Regional Centre for Education closed all of its schools and offices due to the road conditions.

NSCAD University, Nova Scotia Community College, Mount Saint Vincent and Saint Mary’s universities were closed. Dalhousie and the University of King’s College were closed for Munro Day and King George III Day respectively.

Ice covered tree branches at the University of King’s College on Friday.   Ben Bogstie

Nova Scotia Power reported several outages Friday morning affecting thousands of customers, including in the Kearney Lake area, Gottingen Street and the Quinpool district.

Friday morning’s power outage affecting 5,435 customers.   Nova Scotia Power

Outages peaked around noon, with 28 active outages affecting over 18,000 customers in the province.

Halifax Regional Police urged motorists to use caution while driving due to the icy road conditions.


Halifax Transit had detours in place on some bus routes, but lifted them in the afternoon.

Environment Canada projected wind gusts of up to 110 kilometres per hour Friday evening and overnight into Saturday. High winds can cause damage to trees and property.

Ben Bogstie

Ben Bogstie

Ben is a student journalist at the University of King's College. He previously studied anthropology and history at the University of Victoria.

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