Severe thunderstorm watch issued Thursday
In addition to heat warning, most areas of New Brunswick face risk of extreme weather
If Thursday’s high heat and humidity weren’t enough, New Brunswickers are now being advised that they’ve converged in a way that’s creating a risk of severe thunderstorms in the province.
“Conditions are favourable for the development of dangerous thunderstorms that may be capable of producing damaging wind gusts, large hail and torrential rain,” Environment and Climate Change Canada’s weather service announced in a severe thunderstorm watch issued over the lunch hour Thursday.
“Severe thunderstorm watches are issued when conditions are favourable for the development of thunderstorms capable of producing damaging hail, wind or rain.”
The advisory is in effect for most areas of New Brunswick, including the capital region. Spared from the severe weather watch are southern New Brunswick, as well as the Moncton, Sussex, Kent County and Grand Lake areas.
The federal weather service warned that severe thunderstorms can bring such hazards as excessive rainfall of more than 25 millimetres per hour, wind gusts of 70 to 90 kilometres per hour and hail as big as nickels.
The watch remains in effect up until Thursday evening.
“A line of strong to severe thunderstorms has developed over central Maine and will move east into New Brunswick early this afternoon,” the advisory stated.
“Large hail, strong winds and torrential downpours are expected to accompany these storms as they move east across New Brunswick through [Thursday] afternoon.”
It warned that lightning is likely as well, which poses dangers to those outdoors, and noted that heavy rains can lead to flash flooding in some areas and reduced visibility when travelling.
“Strong wind gusts can damage trees, buildings and overturn vehicles,” the weather watch said.
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