Rain is coming to Atlantic Canada, but it won't be from Hurricane Erin
Significant rainfall may wash over Atlantic Canada early next week, but it won't be from Hurricane Erin. However, there is still uncertainty regarding exact amounts and the track of a system that will be responsible for the rain
With all eyes on Hurricane Erin and its dangerous surf and rip currents, which will be felt across the Eastern Seaboard and parts of the Canadian East Coast, forecasters are looking ahead a little further to see when the Atlantic provinces could see some significant rainfall.
A period of showers and thunderstorms could spill into Maritimes and Newfoundland next week, with a cold front expected to follow the passing of Erin.
RELATED: Hurricane Erin strengthens, poses 'life-threatening' surf to East Coast beaches
But the final track is still in the air and it could change since we're five days out still. At this point, any rainfall is welcome since many Atlantic Canada locales are experiencing a moderate or even severe drought.
Much-needed rainfall is coming next week, but uncertainty remains about the track
Hurricane Erin’s tropical rainfall is expected well east of Atlantic Canada this weekend. However, there will be some enhanced wave activity associated with it that will be felt across some coastlines.
Stronger winds near 50 km/h may affect the out-of-control wildfire in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley, which could lead to the fire continuing to spread.
By Monday, a system will follow Erin and possibly move into Nova Scotia and Newfoundland's southern coastlines. However, there is some uncertainty in the storm’s track being five days out from it.
"We are watching the potential for this to tap into a disorganized system off the East Coast of the U.S. This could trigger a more organized, low-pressure system, slower progression of the front and [then] tap into subtropical moisture--all of which would help to bring beneficial rain to the region," said Dr. Doug Gillham, a meteorologist at The Weather Network.
If the storm stays on its current course, 20-30 mm of rainfall is possible. 30 mm or more of rainfall would be possible for Sydney, N.S.--its rainiest day this summer (from June to present). A total of 26.3 mm of rainfall is needed to beat the accumulation recorded on June 24.
The rain is desperately needed in these regions where summer rain has significantly lacked, with current status of moderate to severe drought.
Heavy wave activity expected in Eastern Canadian waters
According to the Canadian Hurricane Centre (CHC), given the large size of Erin, it is likely to bring high seas and winds to Eastern Canadian offshore waters.
Hurricane Erin is tracking northward between the Carolinas and Bermuda with recently increasing core winds, as well as an expanding area of hurricane-force winds. The centre will track well east of North Carolina but that area is still expecting tropical storm conditions and dangerous waves.
RELATED: Surfers await Hurricane Erin’s potentially dangerous waves in Nova Scotia
Hurricane Erin will bring high seas and winds to Eastern Canadian offshore waters. Dangerous surf is also expected along the south-facing Atlantic coastlines of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland Friday and Saturday.
"At this stage the main impact to the public will be from the large ocean swell with associated surf and rip currents--of particular risk along the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia Friday," the Canadian Hurricane Centre said in its latest update.
Beyond the weekend and Hurricane Erin effects, after the cold front tracks to the east of the region midweek, temperatures for the remainder of next week should be within a few degrees of seasonal.