Hurricane Fiona is now a very powerful Category 4 storm as it prepares for an assault on most of Atlantic Canada and even parts of Quebec.

It’s expected to make landfall in Cape Breton or eastern mainland Nova Scotia on Saturday but it’s a very large system 600 to 700 km across. Meteorologist Rodney Barney says the west coast, south and southwest coasts are going to bear the brunt of Fiona beginning Friday.

He says there will be local heavy rain Friday and Saturday but the winds are going to be potentially damaging and storm surge will create high waves in the Port aux Basques area on Saturday.

Virtually the entire island will be impacted by rain and wind while Labrador may also have snow.