Winds pick up as Kyle approaches southwestern Nova Scotia

According to a statement issued at 6 p.m. by the Canadian Hurricane Centre of Environment Canada, hurricane Kyle was located about 142 kilometres south southwest of Yarmouth.

Kyle was moving towards the north at 23 knots or 43 km/h. Maximum sustained winds are estimated at 120 km/h.

The centre of the storm is expected to clip western Nova Scotia as it tracks towards New Brunswick, however as Kyle undergoes transition to a post-tropical storm the hurricane centre says the exact location of landfall becomes less important.

Hurricane warnings remain in effect for Yarmouth, Digby and Shelburne counties. Tropical storm warnings remain in effect for the fundy coast of New Brunswick and the remaining coastal areas around southwestern Nova Scotia. These tropical storm warnings have also been issued for Queens, Lunenburg and Annapolis counties.

It is expected that Kyle will push tropical storm force winds of 80 km/h with hurricane wind force gusts of 130 km/h into the tri-county region of Nova Scotia this evening. Gusts of at least 100 km/h with a tropical storm warning are forecasted for elsewhere along the coastal areas of southwest Nova Scotia.

Wind speeds of this magnitude during similar events in the past have caused significant tree damage, downed power lines and damage to structures due to falling branches or trees. All preparations to secure loose objects should be completed.

Hurricane force wind gusts reached the south coast of the province before 5 p.m. Sunday, gusting to 119 km/h at Baccaro Point. Volunteer weather observer at Cape Sable Island reported branches breaking away from trees. The highest winds reported from the marine district were 126 km/h from the Georges Bank buoy at 1 p.m.

Heavy rain moved into southwestern Nova Scotia and southwestern New Brunswick Sunday afternoon. The southern half of the storm dried out as it began its transition process to a post-tropical storm. As a result the rainfall for nova scotia may be relatively light. At this time rainfall amounts are not expected to reach the 50 millimetre rainfall warning threshold.

However according to Environment Canada, a combination of storm surge and wave set up occurring during the daily high tide will result in elevated water levels that will likely cause flooding along portions of the coast of Yarmouth and Shelburne counties. In addition pounding surf will cause erosion in vulnerable areas of the coast.