Storms worry Atlantic Canadians

HALIFAX — With the remnants of one tropical storm dumping rain across Atlantic Canada on Tuesday, residents were keeping a close watch on three other storms churning their way across the Atlantic.

Special weather statements were issued for Tropical Depression Gordon, which was expected to deliver up to 40 millimetres of rain to parts of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland before dissipating today.

Meanwhile, Hurricane Florence — the first major hurricane of the season — is heading toward the U.S. Eastern Seaboard, with forecasters warning it could be one of the most catastrophic storms to hit the region in decades.

Ian Hubbard, a meteorologist with the Canadian Hurricane Centre in Halifax, said Florence is not expected to have any impact on Canada, given its predicted track into the U.S. mainland, where it will likely weaken considerably on the weekend.

By the end of the week, a highpressure system is expected to park itself over Atlantic Canada, blocking Florence from a northerly advance and bringing fair weather to the region.

“It’s going to keep any of that rain from this system away from us until the beginning of next week,” Hubbard said.

Two other tropical storms spinning westward across the Atlantic — Isaac and Helene — are also expected to steer clear of Canadian territory. But their progress will be closely watched.