HALIFAX - Hurricane Earl will likely affect weather in Atlantic Canada this weekend, but it's too early to predict its full impact, the Canadian Hurricane Centre said Tuesday.

Earl, a powerful Category 4 storm packing maximum sustained winds of 213 kilometres an hour, is on a track that most computer models suggest will take it along the U.S seaboard and into Atlantic Canada as early as Friday.

"There's still a great deal of uncertainty beyond a two-day time frame. The track scenarios range from Maine to Newfoundland," said Chris Fogarty, the centre's program supervisor.

Fogarty said the forecast they've issued represents an average of wide probabilities based on a number of scenarios.

"Statistical computer guidance gives a 30 to 40 per cent chance of a Category 1 hurricane making landfall in Nova Scotia and a 70 per cent chance of gale force winds."

Category 1 hurricanes pack winds of 119 km/h to 152 km/h.

Memories of hurricane Juan in September 2003 remain fresh in the minds of many Nova Scotians after the province took a direct hit.

Winds from Juan, a Category 2 storm, peaked at around 165 km/h. It killed eight people and according to the centre was the most powerful storm to hit Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island in more than a century.

While the centre says it's too early to predict Earl's strength when it reaches Canadian waters, it could bring heavy rains, strong winds and large waves.

Fogarty said they are keeping a close eye on water temperatures, which can fuel the storm.

"Water temperatures are significantly higher around here this year. They're running about three to four degrees above normal," he said. "They've been persistently warm along the Scotian shelf south of Nova Scotia."

The centre is urging the public to keep an eye on updated forecasts throughout the week.

Emergency organizations like the Red Cross are already putting teams and equipment in place to respond if needed.

The agency has disaster operations centres equipped with backup power and telecommunications equipment, response vehicles and trailers, as well as shelter supplies like blankets, cots and comfort kits.

Last year, the Atlantic region was hit by two hurricanes.

Hurricane Bill came into the region as a Category 1 storm in late August with strong winds and heavy rain, pushing a storm surge that measured almost a metre in Newfoundland's Placentia Bay.

Pounding surf washed out the causeway at Western Head, N.S., clogging coastal roads with rocks, seaweed, sand and debris.

Three young men were swept from the shore by a large wave at Peggy's Cove, N.S., but they managed to scramble back to safety.

In Newfoundland, the surge forced the evacuation of two nursing homes and a hospital in Placentia.

A few days later, the remnants of hurricane Danny produced heavy rain as it tracked through the Bay of Fundy and then over P.E.I., causing widespread flooding.

At Nine Mile River, N.S., the banks overflowed, submerging trailers, cars and trucks at a nearby campground.