Weather alerts issued for parts of province
Southwestern New Brunswick, Miramichi region under severe thunderstorm warnings Friday afternoon, while severe thunderstorm watches in effect for central areas of New Brunswick
Parts of New Brunswick - including the Fredericton region - are under severe thunderstorm warnings, while others have been advised to be aware of the potential for thunderstorms Friday.
Environment and Climate Change Canada’s weather service has issued severe thunderstorm watches for Fredericton and southern York County, as well as the areas of Miramichi, Mount Carleton and the Renous Highway.
“Severe thunderstorm warnings are issued when imminent or occurring thunderstorms are likely to produce or are producing one or more of the following: large hail, damaging winds, torrential rainfall,” the advisory stated, noting such conditions are inherently hazardous.
“Large hail can damage property and cause injury. Strong wind gusts can toss loose objects, damage weak buildings, break branches off trees and overturn large vehicles. Intense lightning is likely with any thunderstorm that develops.”
Furthermore, severe thunderstorm watches were issued Friday afternoon for Woodstock and Carleton County, the Stanley/Boiestown/Doaktown area, Kent County and Kouchibouguac National Park.
A severe thunderstorm watch is different in that it’s an alert that goes out when “atmospheric conditions are favourable for the development of thunderstorms,” as opposed to a warning that says such weather is imminent.
The federal weather service’s forecast for Fredericton for Friday night says thunderstorms or showers should end near midnight, giving way to mainly cloudy conditions with a 30 per cent chance of showers.
“Risk of hail this evening,” it said for Friday.
It also notes there are risks of thunderstorms throughout the day Saturday in the region.
The Fredericton Independent can be reached at ftonindependent@gmail.com.