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By Matt Alto, Meteorologist

September 10, 2012; 5:40 AM

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This National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration infrared satellite image of Tropical Storm Leslie was taken Monday midday, Sept. 10, 2012.

Residents and travelers across Newfoundland can expect Leslie's windswept rains and rough seas to be at their peak Tuesday morning and midday.

While not likely to regain hurricane strength Leslie is picking up forward speed and will race across Newfoundland between 30 and 40 mph Tuesday. Wind shear should prevent Leslie from becoming a hurricane prior to landfall in Newfoundland, but hurricane-force gusts are likely.

Seas will continue to build Atlantic Canada waters through Monday with gusty squalls moving to Newfoundland Monday night.

According to Expert Senior Meteorologist Dan Kottlowski, head of the AccuWeather.com Hurricane Center, "The strongest winds will occur in southeastern Newfoundland with the the heaviest rains in the northwestern part of the province."

St. John's and Bonavista, Newfoundland could experience gusts to hurricane force Tuesday morning and midday over a several-hour stretch.

Meanwhile, torrential rainfall lasting 3 to 6 hours is likely in central Newfoundland towns such as Gander and Burgeo. From 2 to 4 inches (50 to 100 millimeters) of rain is forecast with locally higher amounts in the Annieopsquotch Mountains. There is the potential for flash and urban flooding.

People and fishing interests should prepare for a warmer version of a strong winter storm or nor'easter.

"Weather conditions similar to Igor in 2008 are possible," Kottlowski said.

Expert Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski recently said, "Any non-destructive rain would be welcomed over much of Atlantic Canada, due to a warm, dry summer in the region."

Leslie will continue to interact with a front and trough of low pressure moving in from the west.

"The interaction will enhance some of the rain and thunderstorms along the front as it pushes eastward across Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and the Gulf of St. Lawrence region into Monday night," Sosnowski said," Although Leslie is a larger system, coming in farther west over Newfoundland, it will not be quite as intense as Igor was."

Keep checking back with the AccuWeather.com Hurricane Center for the latest information and track path for Leslie.

Content contributed by Andy Mussoline, Meteorologist