A powerful Nor’easter sweeping across the region has led to widespread school closures and delayed openings across parts of Nova Scotia on Monday, February 2, 2026, as hazardous road and weather conditions persist.
School closures and delays
Several schools under the Halifax Regional Centre for Education were forced to close entirely due to conditions along the Eastern Shore and surrounding rural areas. The following HRCE schools will not open today:
- Bay View High School
- Eastern Shore Consolidated School
- Marine Drive Academy
- Musquodoboit Rural High School
All other HRCE schools will operate on a two-hour delayed opening, giving crews extra time to clear snow and improve travel safety.
Meanwhile, the Chignecto-Central Regional Centre for Education has announced a full closure across a wide portion of northern Nova Scotia. All CCRCE schools are closed today in:
- Cumberland County
- Colchester County
- Pictou County
- Municipality of East Hants
CCRCE offices and worksites will also open two hours later than usual, weather permitting.
In the Annapolis Valley, the Annapolis Valley Regional Centre for Education has opted for a flexible approach. School bus drivers in Kings County and Annapolis County will make individual decisions based on local road conditions, which may result in uneven service across the region.
Weather impact across the municipality
Beyond schools, the storm has disrupted several municipal services. Municipal offices across Halifax are delaying in-person services until at least 10 a.m., with employees encouraged to work remotely where possible. Essential services, winter operations, and transit services continue to operate.
Halifax Transit buses are running on snow routes, while ferry service remains largely unaffected aside from an ongoing reduced schedule on the Alderney route.
Waste collection is continuing as scheduled, though residents are being reminded to keep bins visible and avoid placing materials curbside too early or burying them in snowbanks.
Recreation facilities owned and operated by the municipality are delaying their opening, with a decision expected later in the morning on whether programs and rentals will proceed. The Halifax Public Gardens will remain closed for the day.
Support during severe weather
As temperatures drop and conditions worsen, outreach teams have been active supporting people experiencing homelessness across the region. Emergency shelters in Halifax, Dartmouth, and Lower Sackville remain open with temporarily expanded capacity to ensure safe, warm accommodation during the storm.
Anyone in need of emergency shelter or daytime warming spaces is encouraged to call 211, which remains available throughout severe weather events.
What families should know
With conditions expected to remain unstable through the morning, families are being urged to monitor official school board updates and local advisories before heading out. Additional delays or closures may still be announced as cleanup efforts continue.
Related: Newfoundland and Labrador snowstorm closures: schools shut and buses pulled
A quick recap of the latest closures and transportation impacts as winter conditions worsen across Atlantic Canada.
