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Special weather statement

Susie Lake Fire Forest Close Up

Heavy rain could bring relief to Nova Scotia wildfires

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Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement with the potential of floods for most of mainland Nova Scotia and Cape Breton Island.

According to a statement from Kim Masland, Minister of Emergency Management, modelling projects anywhere from 40 to 100 mm in some locations, with a possibility of higher volumes during thundershowers.

Localized flooding and road disruptions are a possibility according to Masland’s statement, and she said that resident should avoid unnecessary travel during periods of intense rainfall.

The government of Nova Scotia recommends having an updated emergency plan, a go-bag ready for family members, an accessible fully stocked emergency kit and a pet emergency kit ready.

Environment Canada says the heaviest rain is expected on Wednesday morning and afternoon, but that another round of heavy rain is possible on Thursday morning.

Currently, rainfall warnings have been issued for southern parts of the province, but Environment Canada said they may need to expand the warnings as their confidence in the forecast increases.

This rain could bring some welcome relief to Nova Scotia’s wildfires.

In an interview with Acadia News, the Director of Fleet and Forest Protection for the Department of Natural Resources, Jim Rudderham, said significant rainfall can make a difference when fighting wildfires.

“The weather can be our friend or our enemy,” said Rudderham. “With this rain that’s forecasted it’s going to become our friend. Models are looking very good that the whole province will get at least some rain… that’s extremely good.”

Despite the optimistic forecast, Rudderham said they won’t change their plans or the intensity of their current response based on the forecast, but will reevaluate once the rain actually hits the ground.

“If we find out tomorrow we have an inch of rain down on the ground, that’ll change our alerts for the next day for sure,” said Rudderham. “That could change burn restrictions, we will not be stationing helicopters and planes on alert, that kind of thing.”

So far this year, Nova Scotia has seen more than 100 reported wildfires, more than twice as many over the same time last year according to Minister of Natural Resources Tony Rushton.

Drier conditions are helping to increase the likelihood of fires, and although upcoming rain could help, Rudderham said the situation could still change quickly.

“There was one time during the fires at Long Lake where one night we received 10mm of rain, it wasn’t a lot of rain, but it certainly helped,” said Rudderham. “But right away it started to get hot and dry again, so it was only good for a couple days. If we get a lot of rain, say 25mm… and the weather patterns the few days after are not crazy warm and hot and dry, that’ll last us a good week, week and a half, maybe even longer.”

He said he encourages people across the province to reconsider if having a fire is necessary, even when fire bans are lifted, and to always practice safe fire habits.

ontario weather warning

Ice buildup, outages possible for parts of Northwestern Ontario

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A special weather statement is in effect around the Thunder Bay area.

Snow and ice may mix at times, impacting travel along highway 11 and 17.

According to Environment Canada, temperatures are expected to drop and 2 to 5 millimeters of ice buildup and outages are possible.

Anyone out driving or walking is advised to be careful of slippery surfaces.

Thermometer displaying a high temperature in degrees Celsius and Fahrenheit with a radiant sun on a background of blue sky. Concepts of summer, hot weather, excessive temperatures and heat waves

Heat warning in effect as temperatures in N.S. spike to +30°C

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Temperatures are expected to soar in parts of Nova Scotia, Tuesday, with our first heat warning of the season.

It includes Lunenburg County, Queens County, and the Annapolis Valley.

Highs near 30 degrees are expected Tuesday afternoon but will feel like 35; and the heat is set to persist into Wednesday.

Environment Canada Meterologist Ian Hubbard tells us it’s the first heat wave of this nature in Nova Scotia for the month of May, since they changed the criteria in 2018.

“We look for two consecutive days of temperature reaching 29 degrees or more,” says Hubbard. “We also have an overnight temperature in there and it has to stay above 16.”

Hubbard says, they also look at humidex value.

“If we see consecutive days of the humidex reaching 36 or higher, we would issue a heat warning for that as well,” explains Hubbard.

As for the Halifax area, temperatures will peak at 24 degrees Tuesday and 30 degrees Wednesday – not quite high enough for a warning.

Conditions may be slightly cooler along coastal areas.

The forecaster encourages to watch for signs of heat exhaustion that may include headache, nausea, dizziness, thirst, dark urine, and intense fatigue.

–with files from Caitlin Snow

Rain falling (Acadia photo)

Rain and wind expected for Cape Breton and Eastern Shore

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Heavy rainfalls are expected on Thursday in Cape Breton and along the Eastern Shore.

Environment Canada says there could be up to 60 mm of rainfall beginning Thursday and going into the evening.

They say the heavy precipitation could be up to 10 mm each hour.

They’ve also issued a wind warning of up to 90 km per hour on Thursday morning to early afternoon for Inverness County from Margaree Harbour to Bay St. Lawrence.

The latest alerts and forecasts can be monitored on Environment Canada’s website.

time-lapse photography of rain

Heavy rain on the way for parts of N.B.

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It’s going to be a rubber boots and raincoat kind of day.

Environment Canada has issued yellow rainfall alerts for areas including coastal Charlotte County, Saint John and County, and Fundy National Park.

Up to 60 millimetres of rain is expected with the potential for thundershowers.

The system will intensify Thursday night and continue tomorrow.

Rainfall rates could reach up to 10 millimetres per hour in some areas.

Southwestern and central New Brunswick are under special weather statements with up to 45 millimetres expected in regions including St. Stephen, Northern Charlotte County, Sussex, Kennebecasis Valley and Kings County.

Keep an eye out for localized flooding. Heavy rain could cause rising water levels in streams and rivers.

vehicle running on road during rainy

Special weather statement in effect for Thunder Bay area

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Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for Thunder Bay and surrounding areas, warning of significant rainfall and potentially hazardous travel conditions.

Rainfall amounts could reach up to 40 millimetres, increasing the risk of water pooling on roadways and the development of icy patches. The precipitation is expected to taper off later this morning, bringing gradual improvement to conditions.

However, areas closer to Lake Nipigon may see the rain transition into snow as temperatures fluctuate.

Drivers are being urged to exercise caution during the morning commute, particularly near rivers and creeks where washouts may occur.

person walking on street and holding umbrella while raining with vehicle nearby

UPD: Strong winds, heavy rain slam Nova Scotia under continued weather alerts

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Environment Canada is keeping a special weather statement in effect for all of Nova Scotia as strong winds and heavy rain hammer parts of the province.

Roughly 17,000 Nova Scotia Power customers are still without electricity as a wind and rainstorm continues to hammer the province.

As of 1:30 p.m., the utility’s outage map shows outages scattered all over the province.

Temperatures remain mild, resting in the low-teens, with a chance of thunderstorms Tuesday afternoon. Winds could gust up to 100 km/h.

The storm is already causing issues for some customers waking up without electricity in parts of Highland Park, Beaver Bank, and Dartmouth. AAs of 11:20 a.m., more than 23,000 customers are without power.

With frozen ground in some areas limiting how much rain can soak in, localized flooding is possible in spots with poor drainage. Rain is expected to taper off later this evening, but there is a 30 per cent chance of flurries, and the windchill is forecast to drop to minus 10 overnight.

Snow_roadconditions_AlexAllan_saintjohn

Significant snowfall possible across southern N.B.

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A developing winter storm could bring a fresh round of snow to southern New Brunswick early next week, according to Environment Canada.

The federal weather agency issued a special weather statement Friday afternoon for a wide stretch of southern New Brunswick.

The advisory covers Fredericton and Southern York County, Oromocto and Sunbury County, Grand Lake and Queens County, the Kennebecasis Valley and Kings County, Saint John and Charlotte County, Grand Manan, Kent County, Moncton and Southeast New Brunswick, and Fundy National Park.

The system is expected to move in Sunday night and continue through Tuesday morning, with 10 to 20 centimetres of snow possible.

The agency said the storm’s track remains uncertain, and a slight shift north could increase snowfall amounts, especially along the Fundy coast.

Environment Canada warns that accumulating snow may make travel slow or hazardous, and that roads and walkways could become slippery.

The agency is also advising people to plan in case schools or scheduled activities are cancelled.

Weather update

Special weather statement update across New Brunswick

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Environment Canada has issued a new special weather statement for across southern New Brunswick.

They say mixed precipitation of snow, ice pellets and freezing rain continues until Monday morning.

Up to 5 to 10 cm of snow is possible.

It will transition to ice pellets and freezing rain.

Areas affected include Fundy, Grand Manan, and Coastal Charlotte County, Kent County, Kouchibouguac, Moncton and Southeast NB, Saint John and County, Sussex, Kennebecasis Valley and Kings County.

Accumulations of snow and ice could create slippery and hazardous travel and walking conditions.

It is advised to adjust your travel plans to avoid being out during the most adverse conditions.

You can continue to monitor alerts and forecasts made by Environment Canada for updates.

Snowfall in Saint John New Brunswick

Snow and freezing rain expected across much of N.B.

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A messy winter storm is expected to move across much of New Brunswick.

Environment Canada said the system will arrive Sunday morning and continue into the night.

The special weather statement covers Fredericton and Southern York County, Oromocto and Sunbury County, Grand Lake and Queens County, Sussex and Kings County, Saint John and Charlotte County, Grand Manan and Coastal Charlotte County, Kent County, Moncton and Southeast New Brunswick, and Kouchibouguac National Park.

The agency said northern regions could see 15 to 25 centimetres of snow, but southern areas are expected to receive 5 to 15 centimetres.

Environment Canada explained the snow may shift to ice pellets, freezing rain or rain before the system tapers off Sunday night.

The mix of snow and freezing precipitation may create slippery travel and walking conditions.

The agency is encouraging people to plan and be prepared for changing conditions throughout the day.

NB Power said it is monitoring the incoming weather system and preparing crews across the province in case outages occur.

The utility said residents can also take steps to get ready at home, such as ensuring they have basic emergency supplies.

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