A large and slow-moving weather front will continue to bring rain, heavy for some areas, to the Maritimes Monday through Tuesday. This is part of the same weather system that brought deadly thunderstorms and tornadoes to parts of the United States this past weekend. The Maritimes is not at risk of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes from the system.
Heavy rain, risk of freezing rain
The rain began overnight in New Brunswick. The wet weather will slowly progress west-to-east across the Maritimes Monday through Tuesday.
Southern New Brunswick and parts of northern/eastern Nova Scotia are expected to receive the most rain. Rainfall warnings extend across southern New Brunswick and in Nova Scotia for Cumberland County, the Annapolis Valley, Digby and Yarmouth Counties. That area of the Maritimes should expect widespread rain amounts of 30 to 60 mm, with localized totals as high as near 80 mm.
Hazards associated with that amount of rain include a risk of localized flooding, reduced visibility on roads in heavy rain, and a risk of hydroplaning.
A special weather statement is in effect for Moncton and southeastern New Brunswick, Cumberland-Colchester Counties Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. A period of freezing rain is possible Tuesday afternoon and evening as temperatures fall towards freezing. There is a lower risk of freezing rain Monday night and Tuesday morning in northern and central areas of New Brunswick.
Timing of the rain
The rain will continue in New Brunswick through Monday night. The rain will be turning to a lighter mix of snow and freezing rain in northern New Brunswick. Areas under the rainfall warning can expect to see the rain clear Tuesday morning through early Tuesday afternoon. Moncton and the southeast of New Brunswick will continue with a risk of freezing rain into Tuesday evening.
The rain will develop west-to-east across P.E.I. Monday night into Tuesday morning. Western areas of P.E.I. will have a risk of freezing rain beginning Tuesday afternoon. Eastern areas of P.E.I. will have a risk of freezing rain Tuesday evening. A light mix of snow and freezing rain will clear P.E.I. by late Tuesday evening. P.E.I. can expect a general rainfall of 20 to 40 mm.
Nova Scotia remains cloudy with patchy drizzle and fog through Monday evening. Rain begins in parts of northern and western Nova Scotia overnight into Tuesday morning. There will be rain, drizzle, and fog for the province through Tuesday. The rain will clear western areas of Nova Scotia by late Tuesday evening and eastern areas of Nova Scotia by early Wednesday morning. Areas outside the rainfall warnings can expect to receive 10 to 30 mm of rain.
River watch
It is always important to keep an eye on the spring freshet during weather such as this. The warmer temperatures may allow for increased ice movement and rain will be adding water into the system. The biggest concern would be if any ice jams develop.
There are no imminent areas of flooding, per River Watch New Brunswick. The forecast for the lower Saint John River does flag the Durham Bridge areas as potentially approaching warning stage by Tuesday morning.
Durham Bridge is currently listed at the Advisory stage along with Woodstock and Gagetown. The severity of flooding alerts increases in the following order: Advisory then Watch then Warning then Flood.
Those in river flood-risk areas in New Brunswick should monitor River Watch for the latest information. Those living near rivers and streams in Nova Scotia and P.E.I. should keep an eye on the water level but the risk of any flooding for any particular area is likely low at this time.
