Tropical Storm Remnants Debbywhich has been moving up the east coast of the United States for about ten days, and a depression coming from the West could bring heavy rains to Ontario and southern Quebec for the rest of the week.
The tropical storm Debbywhich has been causing major damage on the east coast of the United States for several days, could bring heavy rains as far as Ontario and southern Quebec for the rest of the week, Environment Canada warned in a special weather bulletin published this Wednesday.
The remnants of the storm, coupled with a low pressure system from the west, could potentially bring heavy rain to eastern Ontario from Thursday night through Friday. Rainfall amounts could potentially exceed 50 mm.
Heavy rains (50 to 100 mm over 24 hours) are also expected for southern Quebec, between Friday and Saturday. “It could start as early as Friday morning in Montreal, then move up towards Quebec City, Rimouski and reach Gaspé in the late afternoon,” says Nicholas Elder, meteorologist at Environment Canada.
The heaviest downpours are expected on Friday evening and during the night from Friday to Saturday. Some areas could even receive more than 100 mm of precipitation.
A “complex” scenario
However, “the remnants of the tropical storm will interact with the low pressure system coming from the Prairies, which will complicate the precipitation forecast,” Elder warns. Uncertainty therefore remains regarding the maximum amounts expected, and the areas that will be most heavily affected.
Forecast rainfall amounts may therefore change in the coming hours, and rain warnings may be issued as confidence in the forecast increases.
Heavy rains may cause flash flooding and water accumulation on roads. Flooding is also possible in low-lying areas.
In New York, officials told basement apartment dwellers to prepare to leave their homes due to heavy rain forecasts. In less than four hours, up to 6 inches of rain fell in parts of New Jersey.
However, such measures are not being considered “for the moment” for Quebec, indicated Nicholas Elder.
With information from the Associated Press