Weather statement issued as Philippe forecast to impact weekend weather

By CityNews Halifax staff

Environment Canada is forecasting a rainy and windy Thanksgiving long weekend in the Halifax area while keeping a close eye on the track of a tropical storm.

A special weather statement has been issued for all of Nova Scotia on Thursday morning, as the latest track from the U.S. National Hurricane Centre (NHC) shows Tropical Storm Philippe passing anywhere from western Maine to Southwestern Nova Scotia late on Saturday.

“An intense through of low pressure will interact with Tropical Storm Philippe and will give heavy rain and strong winds,” the statement reads.

It’s calling for up to 50 mm of rain for some areas, and winds gusting to 80 km/h or higher.

Western Nova Scotia is expected to start feeling the storm’s impacts on Saturday afternoon or evening. Areas further east will see winds pick up into Saturday night.

The NHC shows Philippe having transitioned into a post-tropical cyclone on arrival in our region. Forecasters say that designation doesn’t make a storm weaker, it only changes the structure.