Canadian impact? All eyes on Hurricane Melissa after its Jamaica landfall
Rainfall totals and the amount of moisture being drawn in remain uncertain, but parts of Eastern Canada could see potential indirect impacts from Hurricane Melissa
Stay up-to-date with all hurricane developments on The Weather Network's tropical storm hub page.
Hurricane Melissa, now the strongest storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, poses devastating threats to the Caribbean this week.
FORECAST: Melissa now a Category 5 hurricane, threatens catastrophic impacts over Jamaica
This will be Jamaica's strongest hurricane since Gilbert in 1988, which caused 49 fatalities and brought over 800 mm of rain, triggering landslides, widespread power outages, and severe devastation. Gilbert made landfall on the island as a Category 4 hurricane. As of Monday morning, Melissa was holding Category 5 strength.
Rainfall impacts could start as early as Thursday in Ontario and Quebec
While it is forecast to weaken and remain well offshore from North America as it tracks north along the eastern seaboard, indirect impacts may bring rainfall to parts of Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritimes later this week.
RELATED: Airports close as Jamaica braces for potentially catastrophic Hurricane Melissa
A separate low pressure system is set to develop over the southern U.S. midweek and track north near Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. Rain is expected to begin Thursday morning or afternoon in the Niagara region and Greater Toronto Area (GTA), spreading into southern Quebec by the afternoon.
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Heavier rain hits the Maritimes by Friday
Rain will reach the Maritimes on Friday morning and persist into the evening.
While lighter rainfall amounts are forecast for southern Ontario, very heavy rainfall is possible in the Maritimes.
The low will remain about 1,000 km from Hurricane Melissa, but could draw on its tropical moisture, enhancing rainfall totals.
By Friday, the system is expected to pull colder northern air across areas such as Timmins, Sudbury, and North Bay, Ont., raising the potential for Halloween snowfall.
Current confidence: Moderate
Confidence remains moderate due to uncertainties in the storm tracks and rainfall totals. Be sure to monitor for updates as the situation evolves.