Environment Canada has issued a weather warning ahead of heavy rainfall for parts of Nova Scotia, as the province readies itself for an active hurricane season and an approaching storm.
Heavy rain is expected to span late Friday night into Sunday morning, and could total 40 to 60 mm.
The warning covers most of mainland Nova Scotia. The heaviest rain for the Annapolis Valley through northern Nova Scotia will be on Saturday. For the Atlantic coast, it will be heaviest on Saturday night.
The national forecaster says rainfall amounts could exceed 25 mm per hour if thunderstorms develop.
“Similar storms in the past have caused hazardous driving conditions and localized flooding, especially in poor drainage areas,” the warning noted.
Parts of the province, including Halifax Regional Municipality, are still cleaning up from last month’s historic flash flooding that claimed four lives and caused more than $170 million in insured damages.
In an alert sent to subscribers Friday, the municipality cautioned residents about the impending rain.
“Please use caution on roadways that were previously damaged by flooding and avoid soft shoulders,” read the hfxAlert.
Nova Scotians and the Canadian Hurricane Centre are also keeping an eye on tropical storm Franklin, which is currently southwest of Bermuda and gradually intensifying as it moves northeast.
Meteorologists predict the storm will gradually take a more northerly track over the weekend, and is expected to develop into a Category 2 hurricane.
In a Friday update, the hurricane centre said Franklin is likely to pass “well south” of Nova Scotia by the middle of next week.
However, Franklin could bring rain, strong winds and high seas to southern parts of Atlantic Canada. Its effects may intersect with those of non-tropical weather systems expected northwest of the hurricane, which could also increase the threat of heavy rain.
The Nova Scotia government is already urging people to be prepared for what’s expected to be an above-average hurricane season.
“We’re working together and preparing for the season ahead,” said John Lohr, the minister responsible for the emergency management office, during a news conference Thursday.
“I would like to encourage all Nova Scotians to take some time now, before a storm or weather warning is issued to our region, to do the same.”
— with a file from Global News’ Alex Cooke and The Canadian Press
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