The hurricane was moving at Category 4 strength, and while it would not strike the East Coast, it may affect the Outer Banks and Bermuda on its approach to Canada.
Fiona barrelling toward eastern Canada
ERIKA SANTELICES/afp/AFP via Getty Images
As Fiona loomed hundreds of miles away as a major hurricane Wednesday, Bermuda's tropical storm watches were elevated to tropical storm warnings, and a hurricane watch was established.
Fiona, the first major hurricane of the 2022 Atlantic season, grew to a Category 4 hurricane Wednesday evening, with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph (215 k/mh).
As of Wednesday evening, the storm was about 605 miles (970 km) southwest of the territory and traveling north at 9 mph.
Fiona's trajectory has shifted westward since the weekend, which may be enough to keep the hurricane's deadly and devastating eye wall to the west of Bermuda later this week.
However, based on the most recent projected trajectory, hurricane-force winds are expected to hit the islands late Thursday into early Friday.
Bermuda is anticipated to be spared the worst of Fiona's wrath, but AccuWeather meteorologists are warning that Atlantic Canada will bear the full brunt of Fiona's effects this weekend.
Even though the storm will not be a significant hurricane when it approaches the Gulf of St. Lawrence region, certain regions may face severe damage.
Bermuda's building requirements are stringent, requiring structures to be built to withstand sustained winds of 110 mph and greater gusts.
Still, some power outages are expected on the islands, and AccuWeather forecasts have assigned a 1 on the AccuWeather RealImpact Scale for Hurricanes to Fiona, which was packing 125-mph sustained winds and heading north-northwest at 8 mph on Tuesday morning.
From Wednesday to Thursday, rough waves will gather in the areas near Bermuda. Forecasters urge cruise ships and cargo boats to avoid the region as a precaution until Fiona has passed.
Fiona's waves will propagate outward for hundreds of miles in the form of massive swells, potentially bringing deadly surf conditions to most of the United States Eastern Seaboard this week.
According to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alan Reppert, visitors and residents of the Outer Banks and other coastal areas may face significant rip currents and beach erosion from Fiona throughout much of the week.
Erosion might be severe on southeastern-facing beaches from Massachusetts to Florida.
The Outer Banks of North Carolina will be especially vulnerable in locations where beach repair has not been finished following substantial concerns left behind by a spring storm - given the region's growing periods of erosion due to climate change.
Fiona's hurricane-force winds stretch outward up to 45 miles (75 km), while tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 195 km (315 km). Hurricane hunters from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), fresh off a one-of-a-kind expedition to the Cabo Verde Islands off the northwest point of Africa, are gathering data on Fiona and detected the storm's eye on Wednesday night.
The provincial Emergency Management Office (NSEMO) is advising Nova Scotians to be prepared for possible severe weather this weekend in order to reduce the risk of property damage and personal harm, as per the Government of Nova Scotia
Hurricane Fiona is expected to mix with another system as it approaches the province, bringing heavy rain beginning Friday.
Strong winds, heavy rain, and storm surges can cause power outages, floods, and serious damage in Nova Scotia.
In a storm, being prepared is the greatest thing we can do, according to Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister John Lohr, who is also the Minister in charge of the Emergency Management Office.
