After a soggy weekend across Atlantic Canada, we’re looking at an even stronger storm threatening parts of the region heading into Monday. Atlantic Canada is enduring the ugly side of fall this weekend as the first of two systems brings a spell of gusty winds and heavy rain to the region.
Just as the current system tapers off, though, we’ll see it replaced by an even stronger low-pressure system that will target Newfoundland in particular with high winds and heavy rain.
A soggy, windy fall weekend continues
A broad and rather annoying low-pressure system meandering over the East Coast this weekend brought heavy rain and gusty winds to much of the region through the day Saturday. Rainfall totals from this first system could amount to 75-100+ mm in spots, especially across the Gaspé Peninsula and southern Newfoundland where onshore flow enhances rainfall rates. Localized flooding remains possible in areas hit by the heaviest rains.
We’ll see that system begin to taper off through the overnight hours into Sunday. While the opportunity for unsettled conditions will continue into Sunday as off-and-on showers and clouds spiral across Atlantic Canada, the day will be decidedly calmer than Saturday. One storm’s end heralds the beginning of the next on Monday, and it could be a doozy for parts of the East Coast.
Rougher conditions arrive Monday
A Colorado low that brought severe thunderstorms and tornadoes to the American Plains earlier in the week will scoot off the U.S. East Coast this weekend, turning toward the north as it gets a second wind on approach to Atlantic Canada.
This low-pressure system will deepen in a hurry late Sunday as it passes Nova Scotia, likely bringing a period of heavy rain and gusty winds to northern portions of the province, and Cape Breton in particular.
Conditions will steadily deteriorate in Newfoundland on Monday as this low-pressure system reaches its peak strength and moves over the island. The system’s minimum central pressure could bottom-out below 970 mb, which is both impressive to weather nerds and a harbinger of rough times ahead for folks beneath the storm.
A strong pressure gradient will crank up the winds across Newfoundland, beginning in the south on Monday morning and spreading across the island into the late morning and afternoon as our low-pressure system moves north.
Widespread wind gusts of 60-80 km/h are likely across Newfoundland throughout the day Monday, with higher gusts possible in coastal areas. The combination of high winds and rain-soaked soils could lead to the risk for localized power outages.
We’ll see additional rain with this Monday system. Additional rainfall totals of 30-50 mm are likely through Tuesday across eastern Newfoundland, with 50-75+ mm in the cards for coastal communities and the eastern Avalon.
Conditions will gradually improve overnight Monday into Tuesday as the system departs to the east. Clouds will linger into Tuesday morning, along with a chance for residual showers on the Avalon.
Source: The Weather Network
