Tropical storm warnings were issued for areas of Canada and a wide swath of coastal New England as Hurricane Lee approached Canada, where it was predicted to make landfall on Saturday.
According to Andrew Loconto, a meteorologist with the National conditions Service in Boston, New England is likely to encounter conditions comparable to that of a nor'easter. Large waves crash onshore and frequently flood coastal roads during such storms, which normally occur in late fall and early winter.
What to Expect in New England and Canada
Government officials in New England and Canada have issued alerts and warnings in anticipation of the arrival of a severe hurricane this weekend, however a little shift east or west may still make a significant difference in how damaging the storm is.
Lee was about 250 miles east-southeast of Nantucket, Massachusetts, and 370 miles south-southwest of Halifax, Nova Scotia, as of 11 p.m. on Friday. It had sustained winds of 80 miles per hour, making it a Category 1 hurricane, and was traveling north at 20 miles per hour. Despite the fact that the storm is predicted to decrease, the Hurricane Center has stated that it would remain "near or just below hurricane force" as it reaches New England and Atlantic Canada.
The highest winds are expected to blow over the Gulf of Maine, affecting parts of far northeastern Maine and Nova Scotia. Winds of this magnitude can destroy roofs, topple trees, and bring down power lines.
With the storm's biggest threat forecast near Nova Scotia, the hurricane watch for Maine has been canceled, but a tropical storm warning remains in effect. Maine Gov. Janet T. Mills announced a state of emergency on Thursday, and the White House directed federal aid to the state.
The Canadian Hurricane Center also issued a hurricane warning for parts of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia on Friday. The hurricane and tropical storm watches, according to the center, are for Saturday's circumstances.
A tropical storm warning, which means winds of 39 miles per hour or higher are predicted within 36 hours or less, was in effect from Westport, Massachusetts, and the islands of Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard through parts of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, Canada. Forecasters have cautioned that the storm's rising size will reach well beyond the core.
Lee was forecast to pass Cape Cod as a strong storm Friday night and early Saturday. Lee's center will be quite close to the western end of Nova Scotia by Saturday afternoon.
