The East Coast gets a beneficial soaking from an atmospheric river
Heavy and persistent rain will continue into parts of Eastern Canada Saturday, with as much as 75 mm possible in the hardest-hit areas by the time the precipitation winds down
A blocking pattern has sent tropical moisture spiralling northwards into a good portion of Eastern Canada, threatening as much 75 mm of rain in the hardest-hit places. Rainfall warnings and special weather statements are in effect across parts of the Maritimes and Quebec. Residents are being urged to keep storm drains clear of leaves and debris as persistent and significant totals could lead to some localized flooding. More on the timing and impacts, below.
Through Sunday: Rounds of soaking rain with subtropical moisture
A slow-moving system has prompted weather alerts across parts of Eastern Canada, with heavy rain and strong winds expected to last into the weekend.
In some areas, the persistent rain will continue for up to 24 hours, as moisture continues to be funnelled up the U.S. Eastern Seaboard.
"Typically we talk about atmospheric rivers that impact coastal sections of the West Coast, but every so often the right ingredients are in place for an atmospheric river to develop on the East Coast," says Matt Grinter, a meteorologist at The Weather Network.
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Atmospheric river effects can range from receiving necessary beneficial rain to destructive rainfall events, but fortunately for the East Coast, this is a pretty weak event that will bring beneficial, but persistent rain to some communities across the region.
The heaviest rain for the western Maritimes will continue early Saturday morning into the afternoon as a boundary nearly stalls out over the region. By the evening and overnight hours, dry breaks will develop across the Maritimes.
On Sunday morning, the next plume of moisture advances into Newfoundland, bringing the heaviest rain to the southern shore. Periods of rain will continue for much of the day Monday on the island.
As much as 50 mm is forecast across parts of Quebec, the Maritimes and Newfoundland, though locally higher amounts up to 75 mm are possible.
Storm drains should be kept clear of leaves and debris to help with drainage.
"If visibility is reduced while driving, slow down, watch for tail lights ahead and be prepared to stop. Localized flooding in low-lying areas is possible," says Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) in the rainfall warning for the region.
On the plus side, temperatures will remain quite mild through the weekend.
Thumbnail courtesy of Getty Images.
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