Philippe remnants heading to NB

Tropical Storm Philippe, the 16th named storm and 18th tropical system of the 2017 Atlantic hurricane season, is no more according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center.

The storm brought heavy rain to central Cuba and the Bahamas in addition to spawning several tornadoes when it crossed south Florida.

Sustained winds reached 95 km/h with higher gusts reported before Philippe weakened over the western Atlantic.

However, Environment Canada says the remnants are combining with a low pressure system which will bring strong winds and heavy rain to New Brunswick on Monday.

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Hurricane Irma intensifies

Hurricane Irma is being called a “potentially catastrophic” category 5 storm by the U.S National Hurricane Center with maximum sustained winds of 295 km/h as it bears down on the eastern Caribbean.

The core of Irma is expected to move across the northern Leeward Islands overnight and will track close to the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico by late Wednesday and the Dominican Republic by Thursday.

A hurricane watch has also been issued for eastern Cuba along with northern Haiti, southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos.

Forecasters say Irma is increasingly likely to target Florida (now under a state of emergency) and parts of the American Southeast as a dangerous hurricane this weekend.

Florida braces for Matthew

Hurricane Matthew passes over Les Cayes, Haiti, 04 Oct 2016 (Reuters)

Hundreds of thousands of Florida residents along its east coast from Fort Lauderdale to Cape Canaveral have been told to evacuate in advance of Hurricane Matthew.

The powerful category 3 storm is churning through the Bahamas after a brush with eastern Cuba and has maximum sustained winds at 185 km/h.

Floods and mudslides from the storm in Haiti and the Dominican Republic have claimed more than 800 lives.

The U.S National Hurricane Center believes by early Friday, Matthew will track parallel to the Atlantic coast from Florida to the Carolinas and is not certain yet if the storm will hit land.

The last time a major hurricane made landfall in the United States was Wilma in 2005 which was blamed for 35 deaths and billions of dollars in damage.

The Canadian Hurricane Centre doesn’t believe Matthew will have any significant impact on Atlantic Canada.

Matthew causes mayhem in Caribbean

One of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes in recent history, Matthew is swirling in the Caribbean with Haiti in its direct path.

The category 4 storm with sustained winds of 220 km/h and heavy rains causing flooding have forced thousands in Haiti and Jamaica to emergency shelters.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center says Matthew may lose some steam as it moves across Haiti, eastern Cuba and the Bahamas.

Forecasters currently believe Matthew will remain close to Florida and offshore to the east but caution its path could change.

Hurricane Joaquin barrels across Atlantic

Flooding in downtown Charleston, South Carolina, USA, 04 Oct 2015 (AFP/Getty Images)

Apart from cloud cover over Nova Scotia and New Brunswick tonight, Hurricane Joaquin will have no impact on Atlantic Canada as it churns northeastward across the ocean.

Joaquin brushed past Bermuda yesterday as a Category 2 storm with winds up to 160 km/h after roaring across the Bahamas as a major Category 4 hurricane where a U.S. cargo ship disappeared with more than 30 crew aboard.

U.S. forecasters say the moisture-laden storm was also partially responsible for record rainfall of more than 300 mm in parts of South Carolina – several months’ worth of rain in only 24 hours.

Although models showed the remnants of Joaquin would make it to the United Kingdom, it looks like the storm will weaken but bring rain and strong winds to Portugal later this week.

Hurricane Sandy slams Caribbean

Man surveys damage from Hurricane Sandy in Gibara, Cuba, 25 October 2012 (AP photo)

Hurricane Sandy made landfall in the Bahamas today after ripping across eastern Cuba where it downed trees and power lines and even destroyed homes.

The Category 2 hurricane has reportedly killed more than 21 people in the Caribbean.

Residents in the Bahamas formed long lines to stock up on water, canned goods, flashlights and other items, leaving grocery store shelves nearly empty.

Forecasters warn the hurricane could reach the U.S. East Coast where it could mix with a winter storm early next week.

Irene pummels Puerto Rico

Hurricane Irene, 22 Aug 2011 (courtesy NOAA)

The first hurricane of the 2011 Atlantic season has battered the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico and has the Dominican Republic next on its list.

Irene, with maximum winds of about 130 km/h, knocked out power to almost half of the island’s residents.

The storm is moving toward the Bahamas on a path that could take it to the U.S. mainland and Florida by week’s end.

The ninth named storm so far this year, Irene is bringing drenching rains with up to 300 mm expected in some areas.

TS Bret poses little threat

Tropical Storm Bret (courtesy Accuweather.com)

Tropical Storm Bret is not expected to have any impact on the coast of Eastern North America given its current path.

However, beachgoers in the American Southeast and the Bahamas are being warned of increased wave action over the next few days.

Forecasters predict Bret will steer well to the north and west of Bermuda at this time due to the strengthening Bermuda High.