While some uncertainty remains about the exact path Hurricane Lee will take through the region this weekend, there is little doubt that the storm will impact the Maritimes.
The large-scale, slow-moving storm is likely to bring rain, gusty winds and strong waves, as well as the possibility of storm surge.
The latest guidance continues to weaken Lee as it moves north over the next few days toward an area of increasing wind shear and cooler ocean temperatures.
That said, Lee is still expected to remain close to Category 1 strength as it moves toward the Maritimes on Saturday. The storm is then expected to become post-tropical as it slowly moves through the region later Saturday and into Sunday, while continuing to bring tropical storm-force winds.
That transition to a post-tropical low means that stronger rain bands and winds will spread out from the center of the storm and cover a larger area. This will bring the risk of more widespread power outages, with trees still in all their leaves.
CBC Meteorologist Ryan Snoddon says the storm is likely to make landfall in the Maritimes on Saturday.
As the storm track becomes clearer and models agree better over the next few days, we will have a clearer picture of which parts of the Maritimes will see the heaviest rain and which will see the strongest winds.
We will also be able to better monitor the storm surge potential and how it might align with high tide.
Showers on Thursday
Well ahead of Lee, upflowing tropical moisture ahead of the storm will pass through the Maritimes on Thursday.
Scattered showers, heavy downpours and the risk of thunderstorms on Thursday and Thursday night will bring another risk of localized flash flooding. It will also add even more water to an already saturated terrain before Lee arrives this weekend.
