Cape Breton hit by over 200 millimetres of rain, leading to washouts and flood risks

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A slow-moving weather system is dropping significant rainfall on northeastern Nova Scotia, especially Cape Breton this weekend.

Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued orange and yellow alert level rainfall warnings for these regions.

Heavy downpours and thunderstorms are bringing rainfall rates of 10 to 20+ millimetres per hour with the risk of localized flooding and hazardous travel conditions.

More than 21,000 Nova Scotia Power customers were without electricity late Saturday morning, with more than half the outages located in Cape Breton.

Cape Breton

The system has already dropped very heavy rainfall across the island with widespread amounts of 100-200 millimetres being recorded as of Saturday morning. Some private weather stations have already exceeded 200 millimetres in Richmond County with reports of washouts and localized flooding.

The community of Eskasoni picked up 20-30 millimetres per hour overnight and was also nearing the 200-millimetre mark as of mid-Saturday morning.

Rain will continue at times heavy for the Island through Saturday. Generally another 15-to-30 millimetres is expected throughout the day. However, with downpours and thunderstorms, another 50 millimetres locally isn't out of the question. The greatest risk for higher totals will be in Victoria County and also in Cape Breton County near the Atlantic coastline.

The rain continues Saturday night with generally another five-to-15 millimetres, however higher local amounts are still possible. Once again, Victoria county and coastal Cape Breton county will be at the greatest risk for these higher amounts overnight.

The system is also bringing winds gusting 60-80 km/h to the Island, which have brought some power outages.

Sunday both the rain and wind look to ease, however lighter rain and showers will continue with winds gusting to 50-60 km/h.

Northeastern regions

Guysborough, Antigonish, Pictou, as well as northern Colchester and Cumberland counties have also already picked up a lot of rain. Widespread totals of 40 to 70 millimetres have been recorded, with localized amounts nearing 100 millimetres in some areas as of mid-Saturday morning.

Periods of rain at times heavy with the risk of thunderstorms will continue in the east today with generally another 10-to-20 millimetres, however heavier amounts are possible locally, especially near the Northumberland Strait.

The periods of rain will continue tonight and right into Sunday with totals of 70 to 150 millimetres possible by the end of Sunday.

Central regions

Periods of rain will continue throughout Saturday and into Saturday night with lingering showers in the forecast for Sunday.

Generally, additional rainfall totals of 5-10 millimetres are expected for most of the central region by Sunday evening. However, as noted above, higher amounts look more likely for northern Colchester and Cumberland counties.

Temperatures in central areas will struggle with highs in the mid-teens for Saturday and Sunday with northerly winds gusting 50 to 60 km/h. 

Monday should bring a mix of sun and cloud with a lingering chance of showers and milder temperatures.

Western regions

Further west, areas like the western Annapolis Valley, South Shore and Tri-County can expect just some lingering showers for Saturday and Sunday. However some sunny breaks are also likely for this region, especially Annapolis, Digby, Yarmouth, Shelburne and Queens counties. This region will see the mildest conditions, with highs in the mid-to-upper teens for Saturday and Sunday. Winds gusting 40–50 km/h will keep the fall feel in the air for both days.

Monday here will be great with lighter winds, lots of sunshine and temperatures popping into the upper teens and low 20s.  

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