Chance of Thunderstorms Thursday afternoon and evening in the Maritimes

CTV meteorologist Kalin Mitchell goes over the thunderstorm chances in the Maritimes for Thursday. Then a fair weather forecast for Friday.

Thursday thunderstorms chances

The combination of daytime heating, a bit of lift created by a weak trough of low pressure and cooler air aloft is expected to allow scattered showers and a few thunderstorms to develop Thursday.

The showers and risk of thunderstorms are first expected in southwestern New Brunswick and southwestern Nova Scotia by mid-afternoon. The showers and possible thunderstorms will then progress eastward towards Prince Edward Island and the rest of Nova Scotia late afternoon and evening. By late evening, any remaining showers and thunderstorms will clear east of eastern areas of Nova Scotia, including Cape Breton.

Hazards with any developed thunderstorms include a moderate risk of wind gusts reaching 60-to-70 km/h, brief downpours and lightning. When thunder roars head indoors, wait 30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder before heading back out.

Fair Friday follows

Weather conditions on Friday are expected to be fair. There will be a mix of sun and cloud across the Maritime region with low humidity. Daytime temperatures will be a touch on the cooler side for mid-July. The highs are expected to mostly top out in the range of 19 to 23 degrees. Temperatures will come up a few degrees on Saturday.

Sunday rain

Speaking of the weekend, our next chance of a more widespread round of rain, drizzle and fog comes Saturday overnight into Sunday. A low-pressure system developing over the Great Lakes is expected during that period.

Current indications are for a widespread 10-to-30 mm rain event. That would be beneficial, as much of our rain this month has so far come in the form of hit-and-miss showers and thunderstorms.