A July 1, 2014, satellite image released by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows the centre of tropical storm Arthur off the east coast of Florida.NOAA/The Associated Press
Environment Canada is warning that tropical storm Arthur could affect Atlantic Canada this weekend.
The Canadian Hurricane Centre says the storm is expected to intensify to hurricane strength Wednesday night as it moves northeastward up the East Coast of the United States.
Hurricane watches have been issued for parts of North Carolina's coast, while tropical storm watches are in effect for parts of Florida and South Carolina.
One immediate result of the early warnings was the announcement Wednesday that the Stan Rogers Folk Festival in Canso, N.S. has been cancelled.
"Hosting an outdoor, camping festival in a hurricane would be foolhardy," stated Artistic Director Troy Greencorn in a news release.
Environment Canada says a trough of low pressure will be moving east from the Great Lakes, guiding the storm towards Atlantic Canada. It says the nature of the trough will affect Arthur's intensity and path, ranging from direct rain and wind to a well-offshore storm with some rain.
"The nature of the trough approaching from the Great Lakes will make all the difference in Arthur's intensity, track and structure," it says in its latest statement on the storm issued Wednesday morning.