Prolonged rain showers and extreme heat are more common in NS, say experts

According to local weather experts, recent weather patterns in Nova Scotia are a “harbinger” of things to come.

“Something you would expect to see once every 100 years, we will see every 10 years,” Jim Abraham, former president of the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society, said in an interview.

Nova Scotians have been plagued by abnormal weather conditions in recent months. A record-breaking dry spell in the spring months set the stage for the devastating wildfires that engulfed more than 25,000 acres.

“We’d be in a pretty serious situation if we didn’t make up for the rain,” said Saltwire weather specialist Allister Aalders.

The month of June nearly set more provincial records — this time for rainfall. Average precipitation levels were beaten by 130 to 260 percent. It was the third rainiest June on record for Nova Scotia, according to Environment Canada, behind only 1985 and 2006.

The heavy rainfall caused flash flooding in some parts of the province.

“Everybody wanted to see the rain. They didn’t want to see it for a month, you know,” Abraham said.

According to Alex Cadel, climate specialist for the province, the rainfall is comparable to the average figures. However, due to the dry spring season, heavy downpours were needed in a short time to make up for the lack of rain from March to May.

This is partly caused by blocking patterns, high pressure areas that remain virtually stationary and result in prolonged periods of similar weather. A blocking pattern is currently contributing to the prolonged period of rainfall that Nova Scotians are experiencing.

“We will have dry periods, and we will have periods where flooding is more likely. But . . . it doesn’t have to feel crazy when we are ready for those conditions,” said Cadel in an interview.

According to Abraham, blocking patterns may become more frequent due to a weakened jet stream being affected by rising global temperatures. The result: longer periods of sustained weather, wet or dry.

However, the storm surge barrier will end soon. The blocking pattern hovering over Nova Scotia is expected to recede in mid-July.

“It looks like it’s going to break down as we approach mid-month, which will promote more flow in our jet stream, which means more chances for sunshine,” Aalders said.

Warming ocean temperatures also increase the amount of possible rainfall, with heat in the atmosphere causing expansion and essentially causing more water to be held in the clouds.

Hurricanes, which don’t often hit Nova Scotia in the summer months, are also affected by rising ocean temperatures. This would mean a more active hurricane season, but as of now, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is forecasting an average Atlantic hurricane season.