Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for several regions of New Brunswick as a cold front sweeps across the province. The watch, announced on June 24, 2026, at 2:12 PM EDT, covers areas including Fredericton, Moncton, and Saint John, with meteorologists warning of potential damaging wind gusts, hail up to 2 cm in diameter, and heavy downpours.
Timing and Expected Conditions
The thunderstorms are expected to develop in the late afternoon and persist into the evening, according to the weather agency. Meteorologist Kalin Mitchell reported that the cold front will interact with warm, humid air, creating unstable conditions conducive to severe storm formation. Wind gusts could reach 90 km/h, and rainfall amounts of 20 to 40 mm are possible in a short period, increasing the risk of localized flooding.
Safety Precautions and Impact
Residents are advised to seek shelter indoors when thunder roars, avoid driving through flooded roadways, and secure loose outdoor objects. The watch may be upgraded to a warning if conditions worsen. This follows a period of unsettled weather across the Maritimes, with recent rainfall already saturating the ground in some areas.
Local authorities remind the public that severe thunderstorms can produce tornadoes, though the current risk is low. Power outages are possible due to high winds, and NB Power has crews on standby. The watch is expected to remain in effect until late evening.
