Ernesto's soaking rains, high surf to impact Newfoundland through Tuesday
Tropical cyclone statements are in effect throughout the Avalon
Hurricane Ernesto remains on track to bring a period of hazardous conditions to southeastern Newfoundland late Monday night into early Tuesday morning.
The storm briefly weakened to a tropical storm on Sunday before regaining hurricane strength as it moved over the Gulf Stream.
While forecasters expect the centre of the storm to remain offshore, gusty winds and heavy rain are likely to hit St. John’s.
Keep up with all the latest news and information throughout hurricane season at The Weather Network’s hurricanes hub.
The latest forecast shows Ernesto remaining well southeast of Nova Scotia during the day Monday.
“The only expected impacts for Nova Scotia will be moderate to heavy surf conditions with a risk of rip currents along the Atlantic Coast of the province today and Monday,” the Canadian Hurricane Centre (CHC) said in a statement on Sunday morning.
Rip currents are a common and deadly hazard for beachgoers.
WATCH: Big ships coming into Newfoundland port due to Ernesto
Rain, wind on the way for the Avalon
Following its projected path, Ernesto's centre will pass close to Newfoundland’s Avalon Peninsula late Monday night.
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While the storm’s centre will remain offshore, it’ll track close enough to Newfoundland that rain and wind are expected for southeastern portions of the island, including the Avalon Peninsula and portions of the Bonavista and Burin peninsulas.
High swells generated by the storm will bring hazardous surf and rip currents to the Atlantic coasts of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. These swells arrived on Sunday and will last into Tuesday. Large waves could lead to some coastal flooding for portions of the Avalon Peninsula.
A period of wind gusts upwards of 60-80 km/h is possible as the storm passes the Avalon Peninsula late Monday night. These winds could lead to isolated tree damage and power outages.
Rainfall warnings are in effect ahead of the storm’s arrival. Forecasters expect totals of 20-40 mm across the Avalon Peninsula, with the southeastern tip of the peninsula potentially seeing 40-60 mm of rain as Ernesto passes through the region. The storm’s increasing speed would limit the duration of rainfall to a few hours.
Stay tuned to The Weather Network for all the latest on Hurricane Ernesto.