Tropical Storm Earl now off Cape Cod, heading for Yarmouth about 11 AM with 104 km/h winds

Earl is picking up speed now moving forward at 25 miles per hour. Winds of 75 miles per hour are expect to reduce to 65 miles per hour (1o4 km/h) as the storm makes landfall east of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. Landfall on PEI will happen around 3 PM with the eye of the storm over Victoria, PEI.

Cape Cod got off lightly with heavy winds and drenching rain but no major hurricane damage. There were reports of beach erosion and one home near Chatham may be lost to the sea.

Environment Canada had not updated the 9:09 PM update at midnight and still predicts Earl will land west of Yarmouth, NS. The morning will tell the tale.

It is likely that portions of southern and Western Nova Scotia will have wind gusts reaching or exceeding 100 km/h….Possibly reaching 130 km/h. Wind gusts reaching 90 km/h or higher are possible elsewhere over the above regions. These strong wind gusts could cause tree branches and limbs to break and some trees to come down. That could result in downed utility lines and related power failures. There could also be some damage to signage..Roofing materials and building cladding.

Heavy rain…Amounting to 40 to 70 millimetres will likely fall over portions of the Maritimes on Saturday as Earl tracks across the region….With southern and Central New Brunswick, Western Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island being the most likely areas to receive these amounts. Over many areas of the Maritimes very heavy downpours are likely…With 25 millimetres or more possible in one hour which could lead to localized flooding and road washouts.

High waves and pounding surf can be expected along south and southeast facing coastlines around portions of the Maritimes with the arrival of Earl. Wave impacts at the coast could lead to some beach erosion and damage to infrastructure.

Higher than normal water levels are possible along the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia and over the gulf of st. Lawrence coastlines. However since the tides are low this weekend..The chances of severe storm surge is diminished.