Halifax bracing for heavy rain as temperatures soar in other areas

CITYnews halifax / By Dan Ahlstrand and Natasha O’Neill

After a weekend of comfortable summer weather, the heat and humidity is back in Nova Scotia, and it’s bringing an expected downpour.

Environment Canada believes a “strong plume of moisture” from the remnants of a storm working its way from the U.S. will bring heavy rain to Halifax Regional Municipality on Monday evening.

“We have an area of low pressure that will be providing some energy from our west, but also what was Tropical Storm Chantal, the remnant moisture expected to feed into this cold front, and that could be enhancing rainfall amounts in Nova Scotia,” Allister Aalders, 95.7’s weather specialist, said.

The rain could bring thunderstorms to the area that could produce “intense rainfall rates” overnight and into Tuesday morning, the special weather statement reads.

Aalders says some areas will see two to 10 millimetres, but in localized downpours, 30 to 60 mm over a short time is possible, which could create a flood risk.

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This is on top of a a heat warning issued for areas south of Hubbards, along the Fundy coastline and stretching into the Truro area.

The national forecaster says those areas could see temperatures on Monday that reach 31 C, and with the humidity factored in, could feel as warm as 37.

Aalders says for the Halifax area, it will be a warm start to the week, but the provincial capital is not seeing the same temperatures.

“Halifax not under a heat warning, but much of HRM is climbing up to near 29 degrees this afternoon,” said Aalders. “It will feel closer to 36 C this afternoon.”

Environment Canada is reminding people to watch for the early signs of heat exhaustion in both themselves and others. Signs may include headache, nausea, dizziness, thirst, dark urine, and intense fatigue.

As for Tuesday, Aalders says a slow-moving cold front will be travelling across throughout the day.