Kalin's Call: Hurricane Larry forecast east of Maritimes, possible landfall in Newfoundland

HALIFAX -

Parts of Newfoundland could see landfall from hurricane Larry later this week, but most of the Maritime region is expected to avoid a direct impact from the large storm currently swirling in the Atlantic.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Larry has maintained itself as a powerful category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds around the eye of 185 km/h.

The storm is currently 1,210 km southeast of Bermuda and moving northwest at about 15 km/h.

Category 3 Hurricane Larry on high resolution satellite imagery courtesy of NASA. The storm is spinning about 1,210 km southeast of Bermuda.

Category 3 Hurricane Larry on high resolution satellite imagery courtesy of NASA. The storm is spinning about 1210 km southeast of Bermuda.

The latest forecast track for the hurricane takes it just east of Bermuda as a category 2 hurricane Thursday morning. From there it is forecast to enter our marine districts of either the East Scotian Slope or Laurentian Fan by Friday afternoon.

The forecast track then has a possible landfall as a category 1 hurricane or strong post-tropical storm on the Avalon Peninsula of Newfoundland late Friday night or very early Saturday morning. The width of the forecast cone, or area the storm may take a path through, is about 400 km at that forecast time though which means a pass east of the Avalon is still a very real possibility. There is also a chance it could track slightly further west into Newfoundland as well.

The Avalon Peninsula of Newfoundland is currently within the forecast cone for Hurricane Larry. A landfall as a category 1 hurricane or strong post-tropical storm is possible, as is a pass east of the area.

The Avalon Peninsula of Newfoundland is currently within the forecast cone for Hurricane Larry. A landfall as a category 1 hurricane or strong post-tropical storm is possible, as is a pass east of the area.

A weather statement has been issued by the Canadian Hurricane Centre for the Avalon Peninsula of Newfoundland cautioning that there is a need to check frequently in on the forecast this week as there may be impacts from heavy rain and high wind brought on by the storm.

There is only a low chance that parts of eastern Nova Scotia could experience tropical storm force winds (one minute wind of 63+ km/h).

According to the the latest forecast from the National Hurricane Center, there is about a 20% chance that Sydney could see tropical storm force winds, lowering to a 10% chance for the Eastern Shore of mainland Nova Scotia. Comparatively, St. John’s, N.L. currently has a 70% chance of tropical storm force winds in the same forecast.

There is only a low chance that eastern areas of Nova Scotia could experience tropical storm force winds on Friday in the current forecast for Hurricane Larry.

There is only a low chance that eastern areas of Nova Scotia could experience tropical storm force winds on Friday in the current forecast for Hurricane Larry.

An increase in ocean waves is expected Thursday into Friday particularly for the Atlantic marine districts and Atlantic coastal areas. There are some ocean wave models that increase the significant wave heights to 2.5 to four metres (eight to 13 feet) in the vicinity of the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia on Friday.

Caution should be exercised if working or participating in recreation on the coast on that day due to the increased surf. The waves should slowly subside on the weekend.

An increase in wave height and action on the Atlantic coastline of Nova Scotia is expected Thursday through Friday. Caution should be taken on the coast as the surf may become rough.

An increase in wave height and action on the Atlantic coastline of Nova Scotia is expected Thursday through Friday. Caution should be taken on the coast as the surf may become rough.

Rain is forecast for the region on Friday as a separate weather front moves in from the west. There is a chance that some tropical moisture could be drawn off Hurricane Larry and into that weather front increasing the potential for some heavy rain. We should get a better read on the chances of that happening and where that heavier rain may be more likely over the next 24 to 48 hours.