After battering homes and knocking out electricity on several Caribbean islands, weather experts predict Hurricane Earl will arrive in Atlantic Canada over the weekend, bringing with it drenching rain and rough seas.
Earl, which is expected to lash the U.S. East Coast as it heads north, intensified into a powerful Category 4 storm on Monday. Environment Canada said the hurricane—with maximum sustained winds of 215 km/h—could hit Newfoundland and Nova Scotia as early as Saturday.
“It is still early to speak of details at this time since Earl is still over two days away from Atlantic Canada landfall,” read an Environment Canada statement issued Wednesday afternoon.
On Wednesday evening, Earl was about 1,010 km south-southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, and was heading toward the U.S. East Coast at 28 km/h.
Hurricane and tropical storm watches and warnings now extend from North Carolina to Massachusetts. Tropical storm force winds are expected to reach the North Carolina coast by Thursday afternoon with hurricane force winds occurring by late Thursday, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center.
“Official watches and warnings will likely be necessary beginning late Thursday for Nova Scotia,” Environment Canada said.
A hurricane or tropical storm warning means that the first signs of hurricane or tropical storm conditions are expected within 36 hours. A hurricane or tropical watch comes within 48 hours of the first signs.
Based on the current forecast, the hurricane will bring raised water levels, heavy rainfall, gusty winds, dangerous surf, and large swells once it reaches the Maritimes.
“The public should certainly pay close attention regarding weekend plans that may be sensitive to high wind and heavy rain conditions,” Environment Canada warns.
The storm is forecast to gradually weaken after some fluctuations in intensity over the next 48 hours. A Category 4 storm on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale can lead to “catastrophic damage,” according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center.
Earl, which is expected to lash the U.S. East Coast as it heads north, intensified into a powerful Category 4 storm on Monday. Environment Canada said the hurricane—with maximum sustained winds of 215 km/h—could hit Newfoundland and Nova Scotia as early as Saturday.
“It is still early to speak of details at this time since Earl is still over two days away from Atlantic Canada landfall,” read an Environment Canada statement issued Wednesday afternoon.
On Wednesday evening, Earl was about 1,010 km south-southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, and was heading toward the U.S. East Coast at 28 km/h.
Hurricane and tropical storm watches and warnings now extend from North Carolina to Massachusetts. Tropical storm force winds are expected to reach the North Carolina coast by Thursday afternoon with hurricane force winds occurring by late Thursday, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center.
“Official watches and warnings will likely be necessary beginning late Thursday for Nova Scotia,” Environment Canada said.
A hurricane or tropical storm warning means that the first signs of hurricane or tropical storm conditions are expected within 36 hours. A hurricane or tropical watch comes within 48 hours of the first signs.
Based on the current forecast, the hurricane will bring raised water levels, heavy rainfall, gusty winds, dangerous surf, and large swells once it reaches the Maritimes.
“The public should certainly pay close attention regarding weekend plans that may be sensitive to high wind and heavy rain conditions,” Environment Canada warns.
The storm is forecast to gradually weaken after some fluctuations in intensity over the next 48 hours. A Category 4 storm on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale can lead to “catastrophic damage,” according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center.
