Another push of rain to finish a soggy July in Atlantic Canada

Digital WritersThe Weather Network
Digital Writers

Gloomy and below seasonal start to the weekend in Atlantic Canada, but with some warmer weather looking to lock in as the month of August gets going.

A potent low-pressure system will be impacting the Maritimes with widespread rain showers through Friday, along with a severe thunderstorm risk by the afternoon, which is when the first rains will begin falling in Newfoundland before gradually tapering on Saturday. In addition to the rain and gusty winds from this system, cooler than seasonal temperatures will also last into next week, before a warmer pattern looks to finally take hold for the second week of August. More on the timing and impacts, below.

FRIDAY INTO SATURDAY: POTENT SYSTEM BRINGS WIDESPREAD RAIN AND GUSTY WINDS

From the first impacts overnight, a low pressure system pushing through Atlantic Canada will be bringing some widespread rainfall to much of the Maritimes through the day on Friday. In terms of amounts, upwards of 40 mm is expected across central New Brunswick, with lesser amounts of 10-15 mm likely for most of Nova Scotia.

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The system will continue to move east into Newfoundland through Friday, starting in the afternoon for the southwest, where the heaviest rains, up to 25 mm, will fall. Between 5-10 mm is expected for the Avalon as it gradually begins to taper through Saturday afternoon.

ATLRain (10)

Though this will largely be a rainy system, forecasters are watching the potential for some instability in the atmosphere, covering much of Nova Scotia and a slice of southeastern New Brunswick with some severe thunderstorm risk.

In areas where storms do become severe, the main threats will be damaging wind gusts, heavy rainfall, and small hail.

ATLRain (10)

RAINY END TO THE WEEK IN ATLANTIC CANADA

Gusty winds will also accompany this system across the region, possibly bringing some of the most powerful gusts that we've seen in months.

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"Along the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia, we could see some of the strongest winds since April," says Kevin MacKay, a meteorologist at The Weather Network, adding that conditions will remain blustery across Newfoundland through Saturday as well.

Wind gusts between 50-80 km/h are expected in the hardest hit areas.

ALTWind

Despite a return to sunshine later in the weekend, cooler than seasonal conditions will persist into early next week, with near seasonal temperatures expected to return for the middle and end of the week. A warmer pattern is likely across most of the region for the second week of August.

Be sure to check back for the latest updates on the changing conditions across Atlantic Canada.