Yet Another Strong Rain & Wind Storm Takes Aim at the Maritimes to Start the Week
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This week opens with a familiar scenario: wet and windy conditions as another storm lashes the Maritimes. A low-pressure system travelling up the American coast is set to affect the region from late Sunday through Tuesday.
The storm is expected to deliver rainfall ranging from 10mm to over 100mm, accompanied by wind gusts surpassing 100km/h.
The onset of rain in Western New Brunswick late Sunday will mark the storm's arrival, spreading eastward into Nova Scotia and PEI overnight and continuing into Monday morning.
Intensifying by Monday afternoon, rainfall rates are expected to exceed 5mm/hr, reaching up to 10mm/hr in the hardest hit areas. The downpour will gradually diminish overnight, with lingering rain in Eastern Nova Scotia into Tuesday.
Unlike last week's storm, Nova Scotia is on tap for the heaviest rainfall from this system, anticipating over 100mm east of Halifax and isolated areas possibly receiving upwards of 125mm. The Halifax Region is likely to see 75-100mm, while a broad section of the province faces 50-75mm.
Areas like Cumberland County, the Annapolis Valley, Yarmouth and Shelburne Counties, and most of Cape Breton will see around 25-50mm. However, the tip of Inverness and Victoria Counties will see the least, with less than 25mm forecasted. Given the rapid accumulation, localized flooding is a significant concern, particularly in and around Halifax.
New Brunswick's rainfall totals will be more modest, with a general expectation of 25-50mm province-wide, including Woodstock, Fredericton, Moncton, and Saint John. Northern and Eastern parts of the province anticipate 10-25mm, spanning from Edmundston to Bathurst and nearly reaching the Chignecto Isthmus.
The highest rainfall totals in the province, between 50-75mm, is predicted for Southwest New Brunswick. PEI's rainfall totals will differ from last week, with lesser amounts in the west and more in the east.
Prince County and western Queens County can expect 10-25mm, while the bulk of Queens County and Kings County are likely to receive 25-50mm.
As with last week’s storm, strong wind gusts are anticipated with this storm. New Brunswick can expect gusts up to 95km/h, intensifying to over 100km/h in the south along the Fundy Region.
Prince Edward Island may experience slightly stronger winds than last week, with gusts potentially exceeding 100km/h.
Nova Scotia will encounter similar windy conditions to the previous storm, with widespread gusts of 85-95km/h and up to 110km/h along coastal areas.
The potential for power outages remains high, especially as some trees and branches were weakened by last week's storm.
Currently, models indicate a second system could bring more rain to the region, but are divided on its trajectory. One model suggests additional rainfall over Eastern Nova Scotia, while another predicts the storm will remain well offshore.
Any extra rainfall could exacerbate the already heightened flood risks in the area.
