Mid-Atlantic nor'easter now Subtropical Storm Melissa, heavy rain, wind on tap
Special weather statements are in effect across parts of the Maritimes for a strong system -- that's now been named Subtropical Storm Melissa -- set to bring heavy rain and strong winds for the start of the Thanksgiving long weekend.
A nor'easter that has been somewhat stalled off the Mid-Atlantic coast of the U.S. for the past several days was upgraded to Subtropical Storm Melissa by the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) late Friday morning. While the change in status does not change its expected impact from wind and coastal flooding along portions of the Mid-Atlantic Coast and southeastern New England, the system is expected to slowly migrate north through the Thanksgiving weekend bringing locally heavy rain, and strong coastal winds to parts of Atlantic Canada. More on the timing and impact, below.
WEATHER HIGHLIGHTS:
Most of the Maritimes will be seeing rain by Saturday morning
Rain continues over Newfoundland into early Sunday
Gusty winds accompany this system
Stay up-to-date on the ALERTS in your area
WATCH BELOW: TIMING THE RAIN AND WIND ACROSS ATLANTIC CANADA
The storm is not expected to actually make landfall, but its effects will still make for large waves and rough surf as it moves on its eastward track, south of Nova Scotia.
The storm's outer bands began impacting Nova Scotia late Friday, and rain will have spread across all three Atlantic provinces by Saturday morning, accompanied by strong winds gusting in the 70-80 km/h for coastal areas.
"Another area of low pressure forming north of Sub-Tropical Storm Melissa will give rainfall to the Maritimes tonight and Saturday," the Canadian Hurricane Centre said Friday night. "Over areas of southern Nova Scotia, 25 to 45 millimetres are forecast. A special weather statement was issued last night for the potential for significant rainfall."
Rain and strong winds will arrive across Newfoundland by Saturday. Winds along the south coast of Newfoundland will remain gusty through the day with widespread 50-70 km/h winds.
Rain will spread across the island through the afternoon, evening and overnight hours.
WATCH BELOW: NATHAN COLEMAN REPORTS FROM NEWFOUNDLAND
Melissa is expected to lose its subtropical characteristics by Saturday night as the centre of the storm moves away from the east coast of the U.S.
Still, scattered rain showers will continue across Newfoundland Sunday, with improving conditions expected through the remainder of the Thanksgiving weekend.
Stay with us here at The Weather Network as we continue to follow this story for Atlantic Canada.
With files from meteorologist Kelly Sonnenburg.
