Newfoundland to see beneficial rains for drought; 75+ mm for some
Soaking rains are on the way for eastern Newfoundland as a cold front taps into subtropical moisture. While the incoming rainfall is good news for Newfoundland's tinder-dry conditions, it could lead to localized flooding
Some positive news is coming to parts of Atlantic Canada soon as beneficial rains will help with the drought conditions in Newfoundland.
A potent, moisture-boosted system will bring periods of rain across the eastern half of Newfoundland into Saturday. There is the chance some locales could see 75+ mm of rainfall by the time it tapers off. As a result, there will be localized flooding with some of the hardest-hit areas.
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The precipitation is very much needed in Newfoundland as the latest update of the Canadian Drought Monitor found that 99 per cent of Atlantic Canada started October abnormally dry or in a drought, including 100 per cent of the region’s agricultural lands.
Beneficial rains coming, but could lead to localized flooding
A strong, low-pressure system moves into Newfoundland through Thursday evening, bringing soaking rains.
Heavy rain is anticipated to longer for more than 48 hours for the Avalon Peninsula, with the system not moving out until late-day Saturday.
A plume of subtropical moisture tracks up along the cold front, resulting in the potential for 75+ mm of rain. Localized flooding will be possible in those hardest-hit areas.
The reason for the low stalling over the Avalon Peninsula for two days is due to a ridge of high pressure in place, working to block the system from moving into the Atlantic.
Average rain for St. John's, N.L., in October is 158.1 mm. But, as of Oct. 21, we have only seen 35.8 mm.
At the moment, the forecast calls for 30-40 mm of rainfall by Saturday.
Above-seasonal temperatures continue through Friday, but after the front moves through, temperatures for St.John’s will be in the single digits to start off the following work week.
A more unsettled pattern is expected towards Halloween and continuing through the first week of November, with the potential for a classic fall storm or two with windy and wet conditions. However, it is much too early to have confidence in the timing and impacts this far out.
Above-seasonal temperatures are expected to dominate next week and through the first week of November, especially across the Maritimes, but Newfoundland will be near seasonal or cooler than seasonal at times.
Episodes of rain were few and far between
While recent rains offered some short-term improvements, we’ve failed to see any significant relief from the worsening aridity across Atlantic Canada. The region is now experiencing North America’s worst drought conditions east of the Rocky Mountains.
Worsening drought has taken a toll on the region’s agricultural industry. Crops are stressed and farmers are facing reduced yields due to the lack of rainfall. Some of the crops hit hardest, according to the Canadian Drought Monitor, include apples, corn, blueberries, pumpkins, and potatoes.
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