There may be some brief downpours within the showers for the Maritimes on Thursday. The approaching low-pressure system is drawing up moisture from the sub-tropical Atlantic. Additionally, there is some moisture available for rain already in place in the form of the elevated humidity in the Maritimes. Sometimes a well-developed shower can act to “wring out the towel” so to speak, tapping into that higher humidity and producing higher rainfall rates. A community that happens to catch a downpour could pick up a very localized 15-to-30 mm of rain. Most that receive a shower Thursday will only pick up a few to several millimetres. The province of Nova Scotia is most at risk of a brief downpour within the showers. It is located closer to the moisture being pulled up from the south. For mainland Nova Scotia, the risk is highest Thursday morning. For Cape Breton, there is a higher chance of a heavy shower late Thursday afternoon and evening. Showers, and any downpours, are forecast to pass through in a matter of two-to-four hours in most cases. That limits the risk of flooding as an extended period of heavy rain is unlikely. Reduced visibility and possible hydroplaning conditions would be the most likely hazards with any heavier rain. Further scattered showers are expected in the region Friday but it doesn’t look like they will have as much moisture to work with, reducing the potential for downpours.
