We are starting to get a clearer picture of how tropical storm Nicole could impact our region.

According to the U.S. National Hurricane Centre, Nicole made landfall in eastern Florida early Thursday as a category one hurricane.

Forecasters here in Canada say the storm is expected to merge with a cold front and become post-tropical before tracking into the Maritimes on Saturday.

“Rain and wind is expected over the Maritime provinces with very mild, tropical temperatures and gusty winds south of the track and cold northeasterly winds north of it,” said the Canadian Hurricane Centre.

The heaviest rainfall amounts will be along and north of the storm’s track, which is expected to be somewhere in New Brunswick.

On Thursday morning, Environment Canada issued a special weather statement for the entire province warning about the potential for significant rainfall.

“Heavy rainfall is expected to begin overnight on Friday, with up to 60 mm possible by the time the rain tapers off on Saturday night,” said Environment Canada, adding that locally higher amounts are possible in some areas.

Strong northwesterly winds gusting up to 90 kilometres per hour are also expected to develop along the Bay of Chaleur coastline on Saturday morning and will begin to ease overnight.

Minor coastal flooding is also a possibility in the Bay of Chaleur on Saturday due to elevated water levels.