Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for Cape Breton and eastern parts of the province.

The national weather agency says eastern Nova Scotia is expecting between 30 to 50 mm of rain, at times heavy, to fall as a system organizes off the coast early Tuesday.

Meterologist Bob Robichaud says wind gusts could reach 80 km/h in areas of Guysborough County and southeastern parts of Cape Breton.

“I think the winds starting late tomorrow into tomorrow night and early Wednesday are going to be the bigger issue probably in terms of what we get with this system,” says Robichaud, adding that the low-pressure storm is expected to move off toward Newfoundland.

Robichaud adds that the Halifax Regional Municipality and all along the South Shore will experience some rainfall Tuesday, but total amounts are expected to remain under 20 millimetres by the time the system has moved eastward.

Additionally, Environment Canada says large waves, pounding surf and wave surge is expected, especially along north and western facing coastlines with the high tides Tuesday evening and on Wednesday.

The adverse weather has forced Maritime Atlantic to cancel several ferry crossings between North Sydney and Port aux Basques on Tuesday and Wednesday.