Post-tropical storm Philippe to bring high winds overnight into Sunday

Post-tropical storm Philippe will blow in with high winds and heavy rain to parts of the Maritimes this Thanksgiving weekend.  

CBC meteorologist Ryan Snoddon says the greatest risk from the storm will be power outages late Saturday and continuing through Sunday morning.

"Given it's Thanksgiving and so many folks will be putting turkeys in the oven, be mindful that there is a risk your power could be knocked out." 

He said most of the Maritimes will see wind gusts in the 60 to 80 km/h range, but peak gusts of 90 to 100 km/h are possible for more exposed and coastal areas. 

Unlike post-tropical storm Lee, which tracked very slowly through the region a few weeks ago, Philippe will move through quickly. "One key difference between the storms is the duration of the event," Snoddon said. "The peak power-outage worthy winds this time around will only last six to eight hours, which should limit the number of outages."

Environment Canada has issued a wind warning for the Atlantic coastline of Nova Scotia. A rainfall warning has also been issued for parts of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

Snoddon said the heaviest rain is expected over western areas of the Maritimes, where 30 to 60 millimetres is likely. Heavy downpours will bring the risk of localized flooding across most of the region. 

The coastal impacts of Philippe will not be as strong as post-tropical storm Lee, however, elevated water levels, high waves and some coastal flooding are still possible along the Atlantic coastline during high tide early Sunday.

Northumberland Ferries has cancelled all service between Wood Islands, P.E.I., and Caribou, N.S., for Sunday.

There is a wind warning advisory in place for the Confederation Bridge from midnight Saturday until 5 p.m. Sunday. It notes there could be travel restrictions during those hours.  

Marine Atlantic has made several changes to its route serving North Sydney, N.S., and Port aux Basques, N.L.

Four crossings have been cancelled between 11:15 p.m. Saturday and 11:45 a.m. Sunday. Passengers impacted by the changes will be notified of their rescheduled departures time.

Bay Ferries has cancelled the Sunday morning crossings on the Fundy Rose from Saint John at 8 a.m. and Digby at 11 a.m. The afternoon schedule is unchanged.

Crossings from Yarmouth, N.S., to Bar Harbor, Maine on the CAT ferry have been cancelled for Saturday and Sunday in anticipation of high winds and rough seas.