Why a showery start to the week in the Maritimes isn’t such a bad thing

A cold front crossing the Maritimes brings showers, drizzle and fog. A risk of thunderstorms for some areas. CTV meteorologist Kalin Mitchell has more.

A pair of weather fronts brought periods of showers across the Maritimes on the weekend and Monday, but there are still dry parts of the region that could really use the wet weather.

There are still parts of the Maritimes rated as being in drought.

The latest report from the Canada Drought Monitor has much of New Brunswick, western Prince Edward Island and parts of western Nova Scotia as being in abnormally dry conditions. A small area in central New Brunswick is still rated as being in moderate drought.

An encouraging note from the report states that for the Maritimes, “drought conditions continue to improve from last years exceptional conditions.”

Most parts of the Maritimes are sitting below 50 per cent of the typical amount of rain for June so far.

Showers, risk of thunderstorms

Showers, drizzle and fog continue for the Maritimes Monday and Monday night.

There is a risk of isolated thunderstorms within the showers for southwestern Nova Scotia and northwestern New Brunswick Monday afternoon and evening.

There is a risk of isolated thunderstorms within the showers for central and eastern areas of Nova Scotia Monday evening and night. There is a risk of thunderstorms for eastern areas of Nova Scotia overnight and Tuesday morning.

There will be additional rain amounts through Tuesday morning of a few to several millimetres. In the event of a thunderstorm, local rain totals could reach 15-to-30 mm.

The last of the rain and showers will clear Prince Edward Island and Cape Breton Tuesday morning through early afternoon.

Warmer, sunnier June days?

We can recognize that picking up some June rain is a good thing but still want some sunnier, warmer weather. The summer solstice is coming up on Sunday at 4:24 a.m. after all.

For this week, Wednesday and Thursday generally have the fairest weather for the Maritimes. High temperatures on both those days are expected to be near mid-June averages which is the low-to-mid 20’s. Both days will have a mix of sun and cloud.

Another weather front bringing rain and showers is forecast to move through Thursday night and Friday. A trough of low-pressure will linger across the Maritimes on the weekend. Scattered showers look likely for Saturday with a lower chance of showers Sunday. Temperatures will be below average.