A satellite image from August 8, 2024, shows Tropical Storm Debby over the U.S. East Coast. CTV News
Eastern Canada is bracing for significant rainfall this weekend as the remnants of Tropical Storm Debby approach the region. Forecasts predict that more than 100 millimetres of rain could hit parts of Eastern Ontario and Quebec by Sunday, raising concerns about flash flooding, water accumulation, and possible sewer backups. The weather system, currently over the Carolinas, is expected to lose its tropical characteristics by the time it reaches Canada, but it will still bring heavy rain and thunderstorms.
Jennifer Smith, a meteorologist with Environment Canada, shared that a low-pressure system over the Great Lakes will combine with Debby's remnants, causing widespread rain and thunderstorms. This system is expected to bring rain to Eastern Ontario and southern Quebec starting Thursday night.
“Many regions, particularly a wide corridor from Cornwall to Quebec City, will see rainfall amounts exceeding 50 mm and localized totals over 100 mm,” Smith explained. She added that major urban centers such as Ottawa and Montreal could experience significant impacts, and Toronto might also be affected.
Montreal, which typically sees 94 mm of rain in August, is expected to receive between 60 and 80 mm of rain on Friday alone. The storm will then move northeast, impacting eastern Quebec, northwest New Brunswick, and eventually northern Newfoundland and southern Labrador over the weekend.
Gusty winds are also expected in the Maritimes, Newfoundland, and surrounding water bodies, with speeds ranging from 40 to 70 kilometres per hour. However, these winds are not expected to reach warning levels.
Smith noted that the region has already experienced a considerable amount of heavy rain this season, leaving the soil saturated and less able to absorb additional water. She advises Canadians to heed weather warnings and consider postponing plans to avoid travelling in adverse conditions. Despite these concerns, she does not anticipate the same level of destruction that Debby caused in the United States, where the storm has resulted in seven fatalities so far.
Nathan Gillett, a research scientist, highlights that climate change is contributing to an increase in intense rainfall events. “We are seeing an intensification of the heaviest precipitation events on both the North American and global scales and this trend is expected to continue,” Gillett said.
