Remnants of Oscar threaten strong winds and heavy rain over Atlantic Canada
Special weather statements line parts of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland as leftovers from Oscar threaten strong winds and heavy rains heading into this weekend. Some areas could see as much as 125 mm
After bringing soaking rains and windy impacts to Cuba and the Bahamas, the remnants of Oscar will make its way into Canada's East Coast for the weekend.
Oscar will get absorbed into a developing, non-tropical system over the Atlantic, and then track north to Canada's East Coast on Thursday. Windy conditions, very heavy rain, and a risk for localized flooding are on the table in the hardest-hit areas, which look to be to be across central and eastern Newfoundland.
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Between 75-125 mm of rain is forecast, along with winds gusting between 60-90 km/h. There could be impacts to travel as conditions deteriorate, including delays and cancellations of ferry services. Water levels in creeks and streams will also likely be elevated, so residents are urged to keep an eye on the warnings, and avoid any dangerous areas that are impacted.
Thursday to Saturday:
The cold front tracking across the country, and significantly cooling temperatures in its wake, will head into the Maritimes on Thursday morning, helping to draw the remnants of Oscar into Atlantic Canada.
Rain starts Thursday afternoon for the eastern shores of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, with lighter shower activity for the Halifax, N.S., area. The intensity of rain increases overnight into Friday morning, mainly for Newfoundland, as the heavy rain that was initially forecast off the coast of Cape Breton has shifted.
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While the exact track is still uncertain at this time, total rainfall amounts of 75-125 mm are possible in some of the hardest-hit regions of central and eastern Newfoundland. If the track changes slightly, it could shift where the heaviest rain falls.
Regardless, hazardous driving conditions from water pooling on roadways is likely, with the risk for road shoulder erosion and washouts, as well.
So far, St. John's airport has recorded around 100 mm this month, a similar amount to how much could fall between Thursday and Saturday this week. It might actually be possible for Friday to be the wettest day of the year so far for St. John’s, beating out the previous 53.6 mm of rain from March 8.
Wind gusts pick up through pre-dawn hours on Friday morning, and peak in the afternoon and evening across Newfoundland.
Up to 60-90 km/h wind gusts are expected with this system, with sections of eastern Nova Scotia also in line for the gusty conditions.
Both the rain and winds are expected to gradually ease through the day on Saturday.
Chilly weather is expected for early next week, then turning much warmer again by the middle of and late week.
Be sure to check back for the latest weather updates across Atlantic Canada.
