Climate & Environment

Hurricane Isaias to Bring Cooler, Wetter Conditions to Canada Over Thanksgiving

By Joe Van Wonderen Opens in new window

Canadian weather forecasters warn that temperatures will drop across the country during Thanksgiving as Hurricane Isaias, a Category 2 storm that formed in the Gulf of Mexico, moves northward. Meteorologist Michelle Jobin of CTV Your Morning said the hurricane, which has wind speeds of 130 km/h, could become the first Atlantic hurricane of the season and may make landfall on the Florida panhandle Friday night or Saturday morning. She noted that the storm could bring up to 177 mm of rain and storm surges over two metres.

The Associated Press reports that Isaias is one of the biggest storms in more than a century. On Wednesday it was centered about 410 km northwest of Progresso, Mexico, with winds of about 80 km/h.

Jobin outlined how the storm’s influence could affect Canada. In Atlantic Canada, Newfoundland, Labrador and the Maritime provinces are expected to see cooler temperatures and strong winds. Rain is forecast for New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, western Newfoundland and Labrador, with spotty showers on Friday and increased cloud cover into Saturday. Fredericton and Halifax have a 60 % chance of rain on Friday and Monday night, while St. John’s may experience rain and fog from Friday to Monday, except for a dry Sunday.

Southern Ontario could feel the impact of Isaias at the start of the Thanksgiving weekend. Rain and cloud cover may reach areas around Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, with thunderstorms and cooler temperatures expected before Friday. Toronto has a 30 % chance of rain on Sunday night; Thunder Bay has a 30 % chance on Friday and 60 % on Sunday; Sault Ste. Marie has a 60 % chance on Sunday night. Montreal faces a 40 % chance of rain on Friday with a risk of thunderstorms, and Quebec City may see showers throughout the weekend.

In western Canada, the Prairie provinces and British Columbia are expected to experience a cold start to the holiday. Temperatures are projected to drop sharply from Friday night into Saturday, with the possibility of snow. A special weather statement from Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) indicates rain or snow with winds around 30 km/h on Friday and Saturday near Edmonton, Calgary, Grande Prairie and most of southern Alberta. B.C. could see temperatures between 9 °C and 15 °C on Saturday. ECCC forecasts rain on Friday night around Victoria and on Saturday night for Vancouver, with showers ending Friday morning in Prince George but a 40 % chance of resuming overnight.

The Associated Press provided the original reporting for this story.