Erin still hanging around
Remains of post-tropical system bringing rain and wind to P.E.I. for part of the day
Islanders may have been spared from the rain for much of Thursday, but post-tropical system Erin will still pack a punch today.
P.E.I.’s Queens and Prince counties were under a rainfall warning since Thursday morning, while Kings County was under a special weather statement.
Thursday afternoon, tropical depression Erin mixed with a trough of low pressure from the west to bring a brief downpour and scattered showers to P.E.I.
Erin was downgraded later in the afternoon to a post-tropical system and continued to track northeastward towards the Maritimes Thursday night, bringing rain and strong gusty winds to parts of Nova Scotia.
Total rainfall amounts of up to 60 mm were expected across Prince and Queens counties by the time the rain tapers off this morning.
Total rainfall amounts of up to 35 mm were expected over Kings County.
Environment Canada warned that heavy downpours can cause flash floods and water pooling on roads and advised the public to watch for possible washouts near rivers, creeks and culverts.
Strong southeasterly winds gusting up to 70 km/h were forecast to develop overnight and diminish today as they shift to westerly winds.
The weather agency was uncertain Thursday afternoon as to the track of the storm and said it could shift eastward.
As Erin approached, some of its moisture fed into the lowpressure trough and enhanced the rain intensity associated with it. The heavier rain and strongest winds associated directly with post-tropical Erin was expected to reach the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia late Thursday evening or early this morning.
Winds were not expected to reach warning criteria (gusts to 90 km/h or higher) but could still be strong enough to cause isolated power outages and minor damage, especially given that trees are still in full leaf.
Some isolated locations north and west of Erin’s track could see total rainfall amounts in excess of 100 mm.
In addition to P.E.I., rainfall warnings were in effect for southern New Brunswick and parts of western and northern Nova Scotia.
Significant storm surge and coastal impacts from high waves are not expected. After midnight into Friday morning, waves near four metres will spread from west to east along the Atlantic Coast of Nova Scotia and will break higher along the beaches.
Rip currents could also be an issue, and the public should exercise caution near the coast.
Gale warnings were in effect for most Maritimes waters near and to the right of Erin’s track through the marine district, where gale force southerlies up to 45 knots were possible.