Severe thunderstorm watch issued in New Brunswick

CTV Atlantic meteorologist Kalin Mitchell goes over the risk of thunderstorms in the Maritimes Thursday and Friday.

A weak weather front draped over the Gaspe Peninsula is expected to be enough to trigger thunderstorms in New Brunswick Thursday. A second weather front brings a risk of thunderstorms to Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island Friday.

Severe thunderstorm watch

Environment Canada posted a severe thunderstorm watch for parts of western and northern New Brunswick late Thursday morning. They give the period of greatest risk of thunderstorms as Thursday afternoon until late Thursday evening.

The watch cautions thunderstorms could bring rainfall rates of 30 mm per hour, localized wind gusts to 90+ km/h, and up to dime-sized hail. The weather agency also notes “some of the thunderstorms that develop have a slight potential to produce a tornado mainly across Madawaska and western Restigouche counties.”

Downpours associated with the thunderstorms also bring a risk of flash flooding.

The situation with thunderstorms can change quickly. Residents in western and northern New Brunswick should be weather aware on Thursday and have a way to check in on the latest watches and warnings issued.

Risk shifts to Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island Friday

A cold front that will break the humidity in New Brunswick by Friday morning continues into Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

Both of those provinces can expect scattered showers with a risk of thunderstorms Friday morning and afternoon. The risk of thunderstorms should be diminished by Friday evening.

Drier air filtering in behind the front will lower the overall level of humidity for Saturday region wide. Temperatures are still very warm on Saturday, with most highs in the mid-to-high 20s, but a much more comfortable feel to the air is expected.

Fire danger high-to-extreme

With the exception of some coastal areas and the northwestern corner of New Brunswick, Natural Resources Canada had much of the Maritimes as rated as high-to-extreme for fire danger. Prince Edward Island, southeastern New Brunswick, northern Nova Scotia and Cape Breton are some of the areas with the most elevated fire danger risk.

While scattered, showers and thunderstorms will bring some rain to the region Thursday and Friday – it won’t be a widespread, soaking rainfall. The agency does predict a lowering of the fire danger for Friday before it begins to rise again Saturday.

A further round of showers is forecast for the Maritimes on Sunday.

For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.