Latest news with #KalinMitchell
CTV News
4 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Nova Scotia bans use of all fireworks due to wildfire threat
Nova Scotia has banned the use of all fireworks amid tinder dry conditions. The province says the new ban is in an effort to protect communities and lower the risk of wildfires. It applies to consumer and display fireworks, and pyrotechnic special effects, even if approvals have already been given. The fine for violating the ban is $25,000, the same as the previously announced ban to stay out of the woods and the ongoing burn ban. The province says all the restrictions will remain in effect until Oct. 15, which is considered the end of wildfire season, or until conditions improve enough for them to be lifted. CTV Atlantic meteorologist Kalin Mitchell says any significant rain in the Maritimes is 'unlikely' for at least the next several days. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
CTV News
4 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Heat, smoke and tropical storm updates
A hot and sunny forecast for the Maritimes then the latest developments when it comes to Atlantic tropical storms. A high-pressure system keeps the Maritimes hot and dry through the end of this week. Thursday sees little wildfire haze but may return Friday and Saturday. Tropical Storm Dexter continues to move northeast towards the northern Atlantic while two other areas are being watched for storm development over the next several days. Hot and dry Unless there is a substantial chance in the general weather pattern over North America there is unlikely to be any significant rain in the Maritimes for at least the next several days. High pressure keeps conditions mainly sunny through Saturday. Temperatures are also set to rise through that period. High temperatures in the mid-to-high 20's can be expected Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Coastal areas will be in the low-to-mid 20's where sea breezes are present. Fire danger Current fire danger ratings in the Maritimes from Natural Resources Canada. (CTV Atlantic/ Kalin Mitchell) The fire danger rating is assessed as high-to-extreme across most of the region. The exception being a moderate rating in the northwestern area of New Brunswick. Fire bans, activity restrictions and mandatory/voluntary water usage restrictions have been issued. Wildfire smoke The high-pressure system that has moved in from Quebec has bottled up, for the time being, wildfire smoke in southern Ontario and New England preventing it from moving over the Maritimes. Smoke forecast High pressure has cleared the Maritimes of smoky haze on Wednesday. High and faint smoke may return aloft over parts of the region late this week and weekend. (CTV Atlantic/ Kalin Mitchell) Modelling for the movement of the smoke indicates that those areas as well as parts of Saskatchewan, Manitoba and northern Ontario will be most impacted through Friday. The same modelling then shows that a faint, high haze of the smoke could move over northern New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and eastern Nova Scotia on Thursday. More high haze possible over the Maritimes late Friday into Saturday. It is very likely that in the case of the Maritimes the haze will be high enough not to impact air quality. Tropical Storm Dexter and areas being monitored for development Tropical Storm Dexter strengthened overnight as it continues to move northeast with the maximum sustained winds coming up to 85 km/h near the centre of the storm. Dexter is forecast to become a post-tropical storm and move into the north Atlantic by this weekend with no impact to weather in the Maritimes. Tropical storm Dexter Tropical Storm Dexter will continue to move northeast, and away, from the Maritimes. (CTV Atlantic/ Kalin Mitchell) Two separate areas are being monitored for possible tropical storm development. One over the eastern tropical Atlantic is being given a 60 per cent chance of development over the next seven days. The path of that system is likely to move it towards a position east of Bermuda before starting a turn to the north. The second area off the US southeastern seaboard. That area being given a 40 per cent chance of development over the next seven days. Some long range computer guidance has suggested that if a system does form there it could move to a position south of the Maritimes by Sunday. The same scenario then moves the possible storm east of the Maritimes without coming directly through. Weather outlook Two other areas in the Atlantic are being monitored for possible tropical storm development over the next seven days. (CTV Atlantic/ Kalin Mitchell) Neither area poses a direct risk of inclement weather to the Maritimes as of Wednesday. Both areas will be monitored in the event there is change in that outlook.
CTV News
6 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Hazy and hot with little rain in the forecast
A dense haze of wildfire smoke is present over parts of the Maritimes. Meteorologist Kalin Mitchell has what to expect from it for the remainder of the week.
CTV News
6 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
How a weather system may clear some smoke but keep the Maritimes tinder dry
A dense haze of wildfire smoke is present over parts of the Maritimes. Meteorologist Kalin Mitchell has what to expect from it for the remainder of the week. Sorry, we're having trouble with this video. Please try again later. [5006/404] Hazy conditions developed aloft of the Maritimes this past weekend as smoke from western Canadian wildfires moved overhead. High pressure will move some of the densest smoke away from the region but at the same time keep much needed rain away from the Maritimes this week. Sonora, N.S. A more reddish hue to sunsets on Monday evening in the Maritimes as a haze of wildfire smoke was present over the region. Photo taken in Sonara, N.S. (Source: Jerry Julien) Smoke and air quality The densest wildfire smoke is located over Nova Scotia on Tuesday. A grey tinge to the sky and a bit closer to the surface compared to other instances of it being present over the past few months. Air quality levels in the region are generally forecast as level two or three by Environment Canada for Tuesday. Those are considered 'low risk' categories. The smoke does appear a bit closer to the surface for parts of Atlantic coastal Nova Scotia and the southwest parts of the province. The Halifax area was upgraded to a '4' or moderate health risk category late Tuesday morning. Air quality index Air quality index forecast issued by Environment Canada Tuesday morning. A moderate risk category for the Halifax and Lake Major areas. (CTV Atlantic/Kalin Mitchell) Private air quality monitoring organizations such as IQAir have some monitoring sites listed as 'unhealthy for sensitive groups' in the Halifax area and the South Shore when it comes to the small particulate matter that comprises wildfire smoke. 'Sensitive groups' would include those with pre-existing respiratory issues and those individuals should monitor for symptoms and possibly limit time outside exposed to the air. The particulate matter present in the air is generally reduced (though not completely eliminated) when indoors. Smoke forecast An area of high pressure moving over the Maritimes out of Quebec will force that thicker plume of smoke further south and east of the Maritimes Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. Tuesday smoke The thicker plume of smoke on Tuesday moved in from the northeastern U.S. but has its source as the western Canada wildfires. (CTV Atlantic/ Kalin Mitchell) That high pressure system will be in place much of this week and should prevent another thick plume from arriving. A thinner, higher haze may return Thursday and Friday of this week. Wednesday smoke The denser smoke is expected to be held mainly south and east of the region on Wednesday. (CTV Atlantic/Kalin Mitchell) Dry, dry, dry Unfortunately, the high pressure that may clear a bit of the smoke will also keep the region absent of much needed rain this week. The high pressure is even strong enough to keep Tropical Storm Dexter, which has developed just north of Bermuda, far to the east of the region. Dexter High pressure keeps rain producing weather systems, such as Tropical Storm Dexter, away from the Maritimes through Friday. (CTV Atlantic/Kalin Mitchell) Dry summer days with high temperatures in the mid-to-high 20s expected straight through Friday. There is some indication that the high pressure may move far enough east of the Maritimes to allow for some weekend showers. At this time though it isn't much more than a low chance of showers for New Brunswick Saturday and Saturday night into Sunday for Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia. Maritimers need to adhere strictly to any burning bans and restrictions as well as any water conservation measures put in place. Even areas not under official water conservation measures should, when possible, take steps to reduce water usage.
CTV News
01-08-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
What to expect out of the weather for the August long weekend in the Maritimes
CTV Atlantic meteorologist Kalin Mitchell says an area of high pressure gets the long weekend off to a sunny start across the Maritimes.
