Blizzard warning continued for New Year's Eve and into Thursday

Environment Canada is advising the public that blizzard conditions expected for this evening and new years day.

It has issued a warning that blizzard conditions with near-zero visibilities are expected in regions of the province.

A low pressure system approaching from south of the Great Lakes will intensify as it moves to the south of Nova Scotia Wednesday night. It will lie just east of Cape Breton by Thursday evening.

Snow will develop ahead of this system over southwestern Nova Scotia late Wednesday afternoon and spread to the rest of mainland Nova Scotia during the evening. Snowfall amounts of about 15 centimetres are expected over western Nova Scotia, and 25 to 35 centimetres over eastern mainland with 35 to 45 centimetres expected over Cape Breton.

Environment Canada’s website says strong northeasterly winds will develop as the low approaches then shift to northerly winds with gusts up to 90 or 100 km/h over exposed locations. The combination of snow and high winds will give widespread white out conditions especially over northern Nova Scotia and northern Cape Breton. Conditions will likely improve over southwestern Nova Scotia Thursday morning but blizzard conditions are expected to persist through the day on Thursday over northeastern sections.

Emergency Management Minister Carolyn Bolivar-Getson is encouraging Nova Scotians to prepare themselves and their families for winter conditions as the New Year's Eve blizzard approaches the province. "We all want to enter 2009 safely, so people should take that into consideration when they make their plans for celebrating the new year," Bolivar-Getson said Wednesday. "You don't want to be stuck in a blizzard unprepared."

The Emergency Management Office website, www.gov.ns.ca/emo, has a thorough checklist for emergency kit supplies. Residents should have emergency items on hand in their homes, such as a battery-powered radio, flashlight, extra batteries, medications, non-perishable food and water, a manual can opener and extra clothing and blankets. They should also have an adequate supply of prescription medications.

Motorists should avoid unnecessary travel during winter storms and listen for monitor weather and travel updates. If it is safe to drive, they should be sure to carry a shovel, sand or salt, extra clothing, food and water, blankets, booster cables and a first-aid kit and always leave with a full tank of gas. A set of four winter tires is highly recommended.

A winter storm, coupled with hurricane force winds, that blew through the region overnight Dec. 20/21, left tens of thousands of households and businesses across the province without power. Some areas only had their power restored Christmas Eve or Christmas day.