Heavy rain, high winds in the forecast for parts of the Maritimes

It's a wet start to the last work week of winter. Lataevia Beezer shares your Atlantic Canadian weather forecast.

A series of special weather statements and rainfall warnings are now in place across Nova Scotia and New Brunswick ahead of heavy rain and strong winds.

New Brunswick

Special weather statements are in effect for most of southern and central New Brunswick.

Environment Canada says 20 to 40 mm of rain is expected, except 40 to 60 mm or more near the Fundy coast.

Wind gusts of up to 70 km/h are also in the forecast over exposed areas.

The rainy and windy conditions will begin Monday afternoon and end Tuesday afternoon.

“Two heavier pulses of rain are expected, with a break in the rain possible in the overnight hours early Tuesday morning. Very mild temperatures will result in rapid melting of the remaining snowpack,” the statement reads.

Yellow rainfall warnings are also in place for southern New Brunswick, which Environment Canada says may be expanded.

Up to 60 mm is expected, with locally higher amounts possible.

People are being told to clear storm drains and gutters of ice and debris to help reduce localized flooding.

Nova Scotia

In Nova Scotia, special weather statements are in place for the majority of the province.

Environment Canada says 30 to 50 mm is expected, with locally higher amounts possible, along with potential wind gusts of up to 80 km/h.

The windy, wet weather will start over western Nova Scotia Monday afternoon and reach eastern areas of the province by the evening.

The rain and wind are expected to end over western areas Tuesday afternoon and by Tuesday evening over eastern areas.

Yellow rainfall warnings are also in effect for southern areas of the province, as well as the Atlantic coastline.

A yellow Les Suêtes wind warning is in place for Margaree Harbour to Bay St. Lawrence in Cape Breton as well. Maximum southeasterly wind gusts of up to 120 km/h are possible Monday evening until early Tuesday morning.

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There are no weather alerts in effect for Prince Edward Island.

Travel

Due to adverse weather conditions, the following Marine Atlantic sailings for Monday have been rescheduled:

• The 11:45 a.m. crossing from Port aux Basques, N.L., to North Sydney, N.S., will be departing early at 11 a.m.
• The 11:45 a.m. crossing from North Sydney to Port aux will be departing early at 10:30 a.m.

The following sailings for Monday are cancelled:

• The 11:15 p.m. crossing from Port aux Basques to North Sydney
• The 11:30 p.m. crossing from North Sydney to Port aux Basques

The following crossings for Tuesday are also cancelled:

• The 11:45 a.m. crossing from North Sydney to Port aux Basques
• The 11:15 p.m. crossing from North Sydney to Port aux Basques
• The 11:30 p.m. crossing from Port aux Basques to North Sydney

Bay Ferries says the marine forecast indicates winds and sea state may disrupt Fundy Rose operations on Monday and Tuesday.

Conditions are being monitored for the following sailings:

• Monday’s Digby, N.S., departure at 4 p.m.
• Tuesday’s Saint John, N.B., departure at 9 a.m.
• Tuesday’s Digby departure at 4 p.m.

People in Saint John told to prepare

People in Saint John, N.B., are being told to prepare for the heavy rain and winds.

It’s recommended people clean drains around their property, ensure downspouts are good, clean up things that could blow away in wind and have a 72-hour preparedness kit ready.

The city says public works and transportation crews are also preparing.

“Our crews are working today making sure that priority storm systems are opened up for any ice and snow, and are also making sure we have equipment set aside for any type of lane or road closures that might happen if this evening or overnight,” says public works director Tim O’Reilly.

O’Reilly adds Glen Falls and east side of city are areas being monitored, as they are prone to flooding.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Avery MacRae