Winter has hit Nova Scotia, prompting some schools to close early and police to urge motorists to be careful on snowy, slippery roads.

Up to 15 centimetres of snow were expected in large sections of the province by Tuesday morning.

Up to 15 centimetres of snow were forecast as winter returned to Nova Scotia on Monday.
(CBC)

With snow and ice pellets in the forecast, schools across southwest Nova Scotia and the Annapolis Valley closed early on Monday.

The Tri-County Regional School Board dismissed all students by noon, while the Annapolis Valley Regional School Board also sent students home early.

In Halifax, municipal officials warned motorists to keep their cars off the streets overnight so plows can clear the snow.

Winter has mostly ignored Nova Scotia this year, but many parts of Canada have been hit hard by deadly cold temperatures.

Activity at Toronto's Pearson airport was slow Monday morning because of a winter storm, affecting flights across the country.