Elsa sets eyes on Atlantic Canada with soaking rains, gusty winds
Tropical cyclone statements have been issued for the Maritimes as forecasters closely watch the arrival of Tropical Storm Elsa in Canadian waters.
After impacts on the Caribbean and southeastern U.S. as a tropical storm and hurricane, Elsa has made its way up the mid-Atlantic coast and is set to barrel through Atlantic Canada, albeit as a post-tropical storm. It will bring quite a bit of rain to parts of New Brunswick and western Newfoundland, with 50-80+ mm expected. The winds will be strong at times, possibly gusting to 80 km/h briefly for parts of the region, but aren't expected to be damaging. But localized power outages can't be ruled out. More on the timing and impacts from these days of unsettled weather, below.
JULY OUTLOOK: Closely watching the tropics with a very busy Atlantic hurricane season underway
FRIDAY: ROUND OF RAIN, THUNDERSTORM RISK BEFORE ELSA ARRIVES
Significant rainfall is likely ahead of Elsa associated with a trough moving in from southern Quebec Friday. The system has already sparked thunderstorms in parts of New Brunswick Friday morning.
As it continues to sink south Friday afternoon, it could set off non-severe thunderstorms in Nova Scotia and P.E.I., thanks to a humid airmass that is present. The main risks with Friday's storms will be heavy rainfall and strong wind gusts.
At the same time, a cold front will also stretch across the region, helping to usher in additional moisture as Elsa approaches from the south.
Tropical Storm Elsa is picking up speed as it moves into Delaware and south of New Jersey Friday morning. It is expected to maintain its intensity as it continues to trek along the mid-Atlantic U.S. coast.
However, is expected to track across the Maritimes as a post-tropical storm late Friday evening into Saturday, bringing significant rain and some gusty winds to parts of the region.
SATURDAY: HEAVY RAIN THE BIGGEST CONCERN FOR IMPACT WITH ELSA
The most direct impacts from Elsa are expected late Friday evening for the Maritimes and Saturday morning for Newfoundland. Periods of heavy rain and gusty winds, particularly along the coasts, are likely. Rainfall warnings are in effect for New Brunswick, where the heaviest accumulations are expected.
"The heaviest rain from the remnants of Tropical Storm Elsa will fall across New Brunswick, where widespread rainfall totals of [50-80+] mm are likely, and localized higher totals are expected," says Dr. Doug Gillham, a meteorologist at The Weather Network.
Heavy rain will also fall across northwestern Newfoundland with 50-75 mm likely by the time it tapers.
In terms of wind, widespread damaging gusts from Elsa are not expected across the Maritimes at this time. However, the wind gusts could cause localized power outages.
However, some intense winds are possible south and east of its track through the region, potentially gusting to 60-70 km/h. Brief gusts up to 80 km/h can be expected over southwestern New Brunswick and western Nova Scotia Friday night.
"No significant coastal impacts from storm surge is currently expected from Elsa," says Environment Canada in the latest tropical cyclone statement. "Latest wave models suggest wave heights of 2 to 3 metres reaching the Atlantic Coast of Nova Scotia by late tonight into Saturday."
Be sure to check for the latest updates as Elsa makes its way into Canadian waters.