Forecasters with the Canadian Hurricane Centre say Franklin has strengthened into a Category 4 hurricane but modelling suggests its track will remain “well south of Atlantic Canada.”
“The right-hand turn we have been anticipating has begun and should continue in the short-term before Franklin begins to accelerate northeastward,” the centre wrote in a Monday afternoon update.
As of mid-day Monday, Franklin was 1,900 kilometres south-southwest of Halifax.
The hurricane centre noted that ocean waves generated by the storm are still likely to reach the coast of Nova Scotia on Wednesday, and Newfoundland and Labrador on Thursday, which could result in dangerous surf and rip currents.
As well, some moisture from Franklin could feed into a separate system that is expected to bring significant rainfall over parts of Eastern Canada mid-week.
Environment Canada issued a rainfall warning for the entire province on Tuesday afternoon. The warning states heavy rain is expected overnight Tuesday and Wednesday — with total accumulation of 40 to 80 mm. Higher amounts are possible in some areas, and there is the possibility of localized flooding and flash floods.
“There remains a fair bit of uncertainty with regards to how this weather disturbance, which is unrelated to Hurricane Franklin passing well to the south, will evolve as it tracks across the province,” the warning reads.
“As this information becomes clearer, timing and locations of the heaviest rain as well as expected rainfall amounts may change.”
The Canadian Hurricane Centre is also keeping an eye on tropical storm Idalia, in what’s being called an “above normal” hurricane season.
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