Halifax urges drivers to avoid parking on streets overnight in wake of snowfall

More than 200 plows and other snow-clearing machines are working to clean up during the Halifax region'sfirst big snowfall of the year, and the city is asking for help from drivers.

Trevor Harvie, the superintendent of winter operations, wants people to avoid parking on the streets overnight, even though the winter parking ban is not yet in effect.

"The faster we can move up and down the streets, the better," he said. "Just think before you park. Can a snowplow get by you if you park there? Can an emergency vehicle get by you down the street?"

• Get the latest forecast from CBC meteorologist Kalin Mitchell

Harvie says winter crews are coming across a lot of sports equipment, such hockey and basketball nets, that haven't been movedinside for the season. He says that's slowing down snow-clearing efforts.

Harvie expects the work to continue through the night.

"In the morning, they'll definitely be cleared for sure," he said of residential side streets. "Before that, though, you'll definitely see some activity there this evening."

Schools close

Most publicschools in Nova Scotia have cancelled classes including:

• Halifax Regional School Board.
• Annapolis Valley Regional School Board.
• Tri-CountyRegional School Board's DigbyCounty schools
• Chignecto-Central Regional School Board.
• Schools atConseil scolaire acadien provincialin the Halifax area, Truro andClareregion.
• South Shore Regional School Board.

Schools in Yarmouth and Shelburne counties remained open.

• Check out the latest cancellations and closure at CBC'sStorm Centre

The messy mix of precipitation is makingfor a treacherous drive on most Nova Scotia roads and poor conditions are expected to continue into the evening, especially during rush hour.

It was a slow slog right across the Halifax region, especially across both bridges. Snow-covered roads also forced Halifax Transit to put the following routes on snow plan: 2, 6, 17, 18, 22, 42, 52, 57, 62.

Snow beganto cover western New Brunswick early this morning, moving into southwest Nova Scotia and reaching eastern mainland Nova Scotia, P.E.I. and eastern New Brunswickbefore noon.

The system is expected to dump 15 centimetres before tapering to a few showers or flurries. It will then move on to Cape Breton in the late afternoon.

Shelburne and Yarmouthare the only counties not under a weather warning today.