May nor'easter to lash the Maritimes with wind, rain — and maybe snow
Only 2 per cent of nor’easters have occurred in May, and this will be the first since 2008
A storm more typical of early spring is heading toward Atlantic Canada, with a rare May nor'easter expected to bring a messy mix of wind, rain and even snow to some areas by Friday.
As the system reaches full strength, wind gusts of up to 70 km/h are expected along Nova Scotia's Atlantic coastline. Wind warnings are already in effect.
Though May nor'easters are uncommon--only about 2 per cent have occurred this month since 1940--this particular one is making a big splash, becoming the first one to happen in May since 2008.
Despite the storm's seasonal anomaly, this form does not pack the same blizzard punch as its winter counterpart.
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Cold air could bring some spring flakes, but rain more widespread
However, snow cannot be ruled out this time around, either. As cold air moves in from the north on Friday night, flakes may fall over northern New Brunswick and the Gaspé Peninsula.
It is not a major snow concern, but it does contribute to the system's unpredictability.
In the south, the storm will bring heavy rain Friday morning, with 20 to 30 millimetres expected across much of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.
Powerful winds whip through
Wind will be a major factor, particularly along Cape Breton's Les Suêtes, where gusts could reach 100 km/h by evening.
Elsewhere in Atlantic Canada, winds are expected to remain just below warning levels.
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By Friday evening, the brunt of the storm should have passed—though the chill will linger. Temperatures will drop as winds shift to the north, resulting in conditions that feel more like mid-April than late May.
Cities like Bathurst and Moncton are expected to experience their coolest late-May highs in almost a decade.
Even Newfoundland is not immune to the storm's reach. The island is anticipated to take in the system's final punch on Friday night, with 10 to 20 mm of rain projected for Avalon and lighter amounts elsewhere as the storm fades.
This late-season weather change may not set a new record, but it serves as a stark reminder that spring in Canada does not always go as planned.
