Noel strengthens to hurricane status - heading towards Nova Scotia

Tropical storm Noel strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane Thursday evening with maximum sustained winds of 70 kt (130 km/h) The storm, which has lashed the Caribbean and Bahamas with heavy rain and deadly flooding, is moving northward and will continue up the Gulf Stream heading towards Nova Scotia this weekend. The storm is expected to lose its hurricane status on Friday as it heads north, but it will evolve into a large intense "extra-tropical" storm system that is forecast to make a direct hit on southwest Nova Scotia late Saturday. The storm will bring powerful winds to Nova Scotia Saturday into Saturday night, with near hurricane force winds possible especially along the Atlantic shoreline with damage possible to trees and power lines. Heavy rain is also likely especially to the west of the storm track over New Brunswick. This will be an interesting storm to monitor over the next few days, as the remnants of Noel track across the Maritimes.

Some links to monitor the progress of Noel..

NOAA Hurricane Center
Canadian Hurricane Center
Halifax Radar
Boston Radar
Cape Cod Weather
Halifax Herald