Tropical Depression Six tracking towards Atlantic Canada, impacts expected
A disturbance swirling off the southeast coast of the United States -- which may become a tropical or subtropical storm -- is taking aim on Atlantic Canada.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center's Monday evening update upgraded the disturbance, making it Tropical Depression Six, and since then it's been moving parallel to the U.S. Mid-Atlantic coast in environmental conditions somewhat favourable for some modest strengthening.
"The cyclone is forecast to become a tropical storm on Wednesday, but it should begin to acquire extratropical characteristics and weaken on Thursday," the centre said Tuesday evening.
WATCH BELOW: TRACKING WHAT COULD BECOME STORM ERIN
The Weather Network meteorologist Dr. Doug Gillham says the initial impacts of the storm will be felt as early as Thursday across the Maritimes.
"An approaching cold front will tap into the tropical moisture associated with the storm as it loses its tropical characteristics while tracking north towards eastern Nova Scotia. The storm will bring widespread beneficial rain to the Maritimes and Newfoundland, but also a risk for flash flooding with localized totals of 50 to 100 mm," says Gillham.
Gusty winds typical of a Nor’easter are expected and could produce dangerous waves. Isolated power outages are possible, but at this point, the wind speeds are expected to remain below damaging thresholds.
SEE ALSO: Storm Dorian expected to reach hurricane strength in Caribbean
TROPICAL OR SUBTROPICAL -- WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?
A subtropical storm is a sort of hybrid between the average storm system we'd see moving across Canada (officially known as an extratropical cyclone) and a tropical cyclone, sporting characteristics of both.
Subtropical storms tend to form over cooler sea surface temperatures than full-fledged tropical systems. When it comes to impacts to land, the main difference between tropical and subtropical systems is that the subtropical ones tend to have weaker maximum winds, spread over a wider area.
