Melissa's remnants could still spell danger for Newfoundland's coast
On the forecast track, the centre of Melissa, now a post-tropical cyclone, is projected to move south of the Avalon Peninsula in Newfoundland on Friday night. Residents should brace for periods of heavy rainfall, strong winds, and high surf conditions in the affected areas
Weather Highlights
Hurricane Melissa transitioned into a post-tropical cyclone on Friday and will pass south of Newfoundland’s Avalon Peninsula on Friday evening into Saturday
The primary impacts of heavy rain and strong winds are expected to remain over the water on the east side of the storm
Wind gusts ranging from 70–90+ km/h are still anticipated for the far eastern edge of the Avalon Peninsula
Rough seas are expected across the East Coast as the storm passes the region
Heavy rain and gusty winds as Melissa's remnants track south of the Avalon Peninsula into Saturday
After devastating parts of Jamaica on Wednesday, Melissa quickly moved away from Bermuda and became an extratropical cyclone late Friday morning. This transition means that the storm is now being fuelled by upper-level winds rather than thunderstorms around the storm's centre.
The latest models show Melissa remaining offshore of the Avalon Peninsula from Friday night into Saturday morning, but a period of heavy rain, strong winds and heavy surf are still expected.
Heavy rainfall, fuelled by moisture from Melissa interacting with an onshore low pressure system, brought heavy rains with widespread totals of 30-50+ mm across the Maritimes on Friday.
Special weather statements are in effect across most of the Maritimes, as well as rainfall warnings along the northeast coast of Nova Scotia.
"Clear storm drains and gutters of leaves and other debris prior to the rainfall to help reduce flooding," says Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) in the warning.
Friday evening will also see rising wave heights along George's Bank, with waves reaching 5–8 metres off the Nova Scotia coast and 3–5 metres in the Bay of Fundy.
Saturday will bring gusty conditions driven by a northwest flow, with winds reaching 60–90+ km/h and creating choppy waters.
WATCH: Melissa is impacting Canada, but not as a hurricane
For Newfoundland, the main impacts of Melissa’s heavy rain and winds will trend offshore. If it ends up tracking further west, however, heavy rain and stronger winds may be felt for parts of the Avalon.
The far eastern Avalon Peninsula is expected to see wind gusts of 70–90+ km/h overnight Friday into Saturday. Strong southwest winds will also persist across the region on Saturday.
Newfoundland's southeastern coast can expect large, dangerous waves to build from the southwest late Friday evening, peaking early Saturday. Significant breaking wave heights are forecast to reach 5 to 7 metres during this period.
"These waves combined with the possibility of storm surge may cause higher than normal water levels particularly along southwest-facing shorelines in the Burin and Avalon Peninsulas beginning late overnight tonight and continuing into Sunday morning," warns the Canadian Hurricane Centre.
ECCC also issued a Wreckhouse wind warning for the southern tip of the island on Friday, as wind gusts could reach up to 130 km/h Friday evening and into the overnight.