NSHSA Admin
Admin
1:40 PM ADT — THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2026Good afternoon Nova Scotia!
Well folks, apparently Mother Nature looked at the calendar, realized September was almost over and said, “Hold my coffee, I’ve got a few things left in the basement.”
We’ve got sunshine, rain, wind, possible thunderstorms, a slow-moving Nor’easter AND Tropical Storm Fay crawling back out of the grave.
Basically, the weather department ordered the Nova Scotia Weekend Combo Platter.
LOCAL WEATHER
A mix of sun and cloud continues into Friday before the clouds start moving in Friday afternoon and evening like relatives who said they were only stopping by for five minutes.
By Friday evening into Sunday, things become more unsettled with scattered showers, periods of rain possibly heavy at times, and strong to very strong wind gusts.
Right now, the heaviest rain bands and strongest winds look to favour areas west of Halifax toward Yarmouth.
So this is looking like somewhat of a half-province event.
Western Nova Scotia gets the bigger serving while eastern Nova Scotia sits at the other end of the table wondering why everyone is making such a racket.
Areas east of Halifax toward Cape Breton will still see scattered showers, a few locally heavy downpours and some strong wind gusts at times — but generally the farther east you go, the less impressive this system becomes.
And this Nor’easter isn’t exactly in a hurry.
It could keep this unsettled pattern hanging around right into Tuesday, apparently having nowhere else to be.
There’s also a risk of a thunderstorm or two, because apparently rain and wind weren’t enough ingredients.
The good news is the main ingredients of this system still look to stay south and west of Nova Scotia.
I’ll continue watching closely because one little wobble in the track can change things.
TEMPERATURES
Tonight gets chilly again.
Inland mainland Nova Scotia and Cape Breton drop into the single digits, while areas closer to the southern, western and eastern shores stay a little warmer.
Basically, summer has packed its suitcase but keeps coming back into the house because it forgot something.
Friday climbs into the high teens province-wide, with mid to high teens expected through the weekend.
Overnight temperatures also get a little warmer, generally hanging around the low teens.
WINDS
Winds begin increasing Friday morning.
Areas west of Halifax can expect strong winds, with very strong gusts possible Friday night through Sunday.
Areas east of Halifax will see moderate to strong gusts at times, with winds generally becoming weaker the farther east you travel.
So if your lawn chair has spent the entire summer trying to escape your property, this could be another opportunity for it to make a run for New Brunswick.
Seriously though: secure loose outdoor objects before the stronger winds arrive, particularly across western Nova Scotia.
TROPICAL WATCH
Remember Tropical Depression Fay?
Well…
SHE’S BAAAAACK.
Fay apparently got halfway to the funeral home, sat up in the back and said:
“Actually, I’m feeling better.”
Fay was upgraded back to a tropical storm overnight.
Thankfully, this one is NO THREAT TO NOVA SCOTIA.
She’s way out in the Atlantic hanging around with the tuna, probably confusing the haddock and questioning her own life choices.
Nothing else is currently on the watch for tropical storm or hurricane potential.
ON THIS DAY — SEPTEMBER 24
Now we put the comedy away for a minute because this date carries some serious weather history for Nova Scotia.
SEPTEMBER 24, 2022 — FIONA
In the early morning hours of September 24, 2022, Fiona made landfall in eastern Nova Scotia shortly after 3:00 AM.
The storm produced widespread destructive winds, storm surge, flooding, downed trees and massive power outages.
For many Nova Scotians, Fiona is a storm that will not soon be forgotten.
SEPTEMBER 24, 2003 — HURRICANE JUAN BEGINS
And here’s an interesting coincidence.
September 24, 2003 was also the day the tropical system that would eventually become Hurricane Juan first developed into a tropical depression southeast of Bermuda.
It became Tropical Storm Juan the following day and reached hurricane strength on September 26.
Five days after its initial development, Juan slammed into the Halifax area during the night of September 28–29, 2003, becoming one of the most destructive hurricanes in modern Halifax history.
SEPTEMBER 24 WEATHER TIDBIT
For the more recent Halifax Windsor Park record, September 24 has ranged from a chilly 4.1°C minimum in 2018 to a 22.3°C maximum in 2020 during the station’s 2018–2025 period of record.
On September 24, 2022 — the day Fiona struck — that particular station recorded 14.2 mm of rain and a maximum gust of 83 km/h, showing just how dramatically conditions varied around the province during Fiona.
SUMMARY
So what’s Nova Scotia ordering from the weather menu this weekend?
Some sun
Scattered showers Periods of rain
Strong winds
Possible thunderstorms
And the traditional Nova Scotia game of “WHAT THE HECK IS IT DOING OUTSIDE NOW?”Western areas look to get the worst of the rain and wind, while eastern mainland Nova Scotia may actually sneak out a fairly decent weekend with considerably less rain and wind if everything continues to unfold the way the models are currently showing.
Meanwhile, the Nor’easter looks like it’s going to park itself south of us and spend several days spinning around like somebody trying to find the exit at the Halifax Shopping Centre.
SERIOUS NOTE:
Special Weather Statements and rainfall warnings are certainly on the table for some areas this weekend.
If warnings or statements are issued, I’ll have them posted here ASAP.
The exact placement of the heavier rain and strongest winds can still change, so keep checking back for updates.
Until then…
Welcome to fall in Nova Scotia.
Where you can leave the house wearing sunglasses and come home holding an umbrella that now belongs to somebody in PEI.
~Jamie