I saw some interesting discussion online about if the Maritimes would have the same storm impacts as southern Ontario due to the same weather system. The short answer is no and here is a bit more on why that is. Prior to the arrival of the cold front in southern Ontario on Wednesday, the area was amid a hot and humid air mass. That had the effect of providing some high atmospheric energy available for thunderstorms that only needed the front to come in as a trigger. Once that front arrived, a damaging band of storms swept across bringing widespread impacts. In contrast, the Maritimes has started September with relatively mild (but seasonable) temperatures and lower humidity. We simply don’t have the same sort of pent-up storm energy southern Ontario had. We won’t experience the same intense, destructive thunderstorms they did. We do have some concerns with this system, though. It is still grabbing some moisture off the sub-tropical Atlantic. That does mean there will be a risk of embedded downpours and thunderstorms within the rain. At times those could produce rain rates of 10-to-20 mm/hr which can make for tough road travel, reducing visibility and creating hydroplaning conditions. It is also going to be a longer duration weather event for our region. The rain will develop Thursday but go well into the Labour Day long weekend. The most rain is still targeted to add up in eastern portions of the region. Updated weather statements by Environment Canada have totals likely to exceed 60, 80 and even 100 mm in parts of Prince Edward Island and eastern Nova Scotia. Other areas under the statement could receive 30-to-50 mm. Residents should continue to monitor any statements and alerts issued for further updates on how much rain their area could receive. The risk of downpours within the rain is generally highest Friday in the day, Friday night and Saturday morning. A period of persistent heavy rain looks to develop on the Eastern Shore of Nova Scotia and Cape Breton Friday evening, night and may extend into Saturday morning. That may be an area and time to avoid road travel if possible.
