What Happens When Tropical Cyclones Near Canada?

Since Atlantic Canadian waters are much cooler than tropical waters where hurricanes are formed, hurricanes lose their energy source when they enter Canadian waters and most are in the decaying stage of their life-cycle. Storms that have moved inland also weaken rapidly because they are removed from their source of energy and are worn out from the frictional drag of the land. Although no longer visible on a weather map, the energy of a dissipated storm can continue to move through the atmosphere. Heavy rain from the very moist tropical air may continue to fall over the region.

Sometimes a tropical cyclone will undergo post-tropical transition while near Atlantic Canada. As they move into the stronger air streams and cooler air temperatures of the middle latitudes, the storms accelerate and the rain and wind patterns of tropical cyclones change. The heaviest rains shift to the left side of the accelerating storm, while the strongest winds are found on the right side. In addition, very high waves can be experienced on the right hand side of the post-tropical storm’s track. Because of these pattern changes, land areas in Canada frequently witness the heavy rains, but seldom experience the strongest winds.