Melissa's remnants could still spell danger for Newfoundland's coast
The centre of Melissa, now a post-tropical cyclone, has moved south of the Avalon Peninsula in Newfoundland. 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, passing south of Newfoundland’s Avalon Peninsula
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.
Melissa remained offshore of the Avalon Peninsula into Saturday morning, but a period of heavy rain, strong winds and heavy surf are still expected.
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 farther west, however, heavy rain and stronger winds may be felt for parts of the Avalon.
The far eastern Avalon Peninsula is expected to see strong, southwesterly winds persist across the region on Saturday.
Newfoundland's southeastern coast can expect large, dangerous waves to to peak 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.