A series of low-pressure systems and weather fronts – that extends from northern Quebec, south to the U.S. Gulf states – is slowly moving eastward. The complex weather system will reach the Maritimes late Thursday into Friday. Rain is forecast to reach western New Brunswick and southwestern Nova Scotia Thursday afternoon. Rain developing across most of the Maritimes by Friday morning. Rain clears, west-to-east, Friday evening and night though it may linger in Cape Breton until Saturday morning. The combination of the system being slow, tapping into subtropical moisture, and containing some downpours and thunderstorms ups the rain potential. A widespread rainfall of 20-to-40 mm looks likely across much of the Maritimes. Rain could finish a bit lower for parts of the north shore of Nova Scotia, Inverness County – Cape Breton, and Prince Edward Island. Pockets of higher rain totals of 40-to-60 mm have been indicated by computer models. Areas at most risk for those higher totals include Halifax and down the South Shore of Nova Scotia, and southwestern New Brunswick, especially just inland of the Bay of Fundy coastline. As well as the northeastern corner of New Brunswick. Those areas have been placed under Special Weather Statements by Environment Canada. In those statements the weather agency cautions there could be potential thunderstorms and heavier rainfall, and localized flooding in low-lying areas or areas with poor drainage. Environment Canada is also recommending to clear storm drains and gutters of debris in advance of the rain.
