Achi news desk-
A tornado watch is in effect for Mount Carleton – Renous Highway in New Brunswick.
Environment Canada’s website says conditions in the area are “favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms that could produce tornadoes.”
The watch warns that strong winds, large hail and heavy rain are also possible.
“The tornado threat will diminish late tonight,” reads Environment Canada’s website.
Previously, the watch also included Victoria County but according to Environment Canada’s website, it has been dropped for that area.
When a hurricane warning is issued, Environment Canada recommends the following:
- Go indoors to a room on the ground floor, away from external walls and windows, such as a basement, bathroom, staircase or inner closet.
- Leave mobile homes, vehicles, tents, trailers and other temporary or isolated shelter, and move to a strong building if you can.
- As a last resort, lie low and protect your head from flying debris.
“Hurricane watches are issued when atmospheric conditions are favorable for the development of thunderstorms that could produce tornadoes,” according to Environment Canada.
A hurricane watch has been issued for Victoria County, NB, on May 23, 2024.
Heavy rain
The combination of warm, moist air that has accumulated this week along with a cold front arriving from the west has triggered thunderstorms in the Maritimes.
Thunderstorms swept across northern New Brunswick Thursday morning until early afternoon. Along with lightning, the thunderstorms produce some rainfall rates as high as 20 to 40 mm per hour. That heavy rain can reduce visibility and lead to water logging on roads. The storms are moving quickly to the east at 50 to 60 km/h. The rapid speed of the storms reduces the risk of flooding.
Thursday afternoon risk
A second round of showers and scattered thunderstorms is expected to develop and move across New Brunswick Thursday afternoon into the night. The risk first starts in the north-west region of the state in the early afternoon. Then the risk of thunderstorms becomes more common in the late afternoon and through the first part of the night for the province. During that period, there is also a risk to the west of Prince Edward Island. The risk of thunderstorms should be reduced for New Brunswick and Western PEI by 8 to 10 pm
A second round of scattered thunderstorms is expected to develop and move west to east across New Brunswick Thursday afternoon into the evening.
A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for most of New Brunswick.
Around 6:30pm, a severe thunderstorm warning was issued for two counties in New Brunswick, including Victoria and Mount Carleton – Renous Highway.
“Large hail can damage property and cause injury. Strong gusts of wind can throw loose objects, damage weak buildings, snap branches from trees and overturn large vehicles.”
Thursday night risk
As the front that triggers the thunderstorms moves towards PEI and Nova Scotia on Thursday night, the risk of thunderstorms for those two provinces will increase. The risk of thunderstorms for PEI will be highest between 6pm and midnight. The risk of thunderstorms for Nova Scotia is highest between 8 pm and 2 am Guysborough, Richmond, and Cape Breton counties in eastern Nova Scotia remain at a lower risk until near 6 am Friday.
The thunderstorms will be scattered in coverage, so not every community will have a single pass over. Lightning will be the most common hazard with the thunderstorms. Some may be able to produce heavy rain.
Increased risk of thunderstorms Thursday evening and overnight for Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.
Temperature and humidity forecasts
Less moist air is located behind the front. Much of the week’s smog will be out of the sky for New Brunswick on Friday and will descend on Nova Scotia and PEI.
High temperatures are still expected to be well above average for late May on Friday. Areas off the coast are again likely to reach the mid-to-high 20s. High temperatures will cool for Saturday with high twenties and low twenties for New Brunswick and mainland Nova Scotia. Closer to the mid-teens is expected for PEI and Cape Breton.
Quite a nice start to the weekend. Sun and mixed clouds, slightly cooler and drier air compared to much of this week.
