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Health Dorian transitions to a post-tropical cyclone as it nears Nova Scotia Saturday, September 7th 2019, 7:01 pm - Hundreds-of-thousands of customers were without power Saturday as Dorian hammered the Maritimes.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story is no longer being updated. Please click here for latest updates on Dorian as it moves through Atlantic Canada.

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Dorian has transitioned to a post-tropical cyclone, however meteorologists are warning that the storm is still maintaining strength that is equvalent to a Category 2 hurricane. The storm is expected to make landfall Saturday evening near Halifax, Nova Scotia. The latest update from the U.S. National Hurricane Center has Dorian with maximum sustained winds of 155 km/h and is moving northeast at 48 km/h. A general northeast movement is expected to continue through Sunday night.

KEY POINTS:

Centre of Dorian looks to make landfall just east of Halifax, Nova Scotia, although outer bands are already being felt across the Maritimes

The Maritimes are facing hundreds-of-thousands of power outages. Keep up-to-date here

Heaviest swath of rain expected from southwestern Nova Scotia through PEI, and southern New Brunswick

Tropical-force winds are already moving over Nova Scotia, some damage reported

Macdonald Bridge from Dartmouth to Halifax is closed

Stay up-to-date on the ALERTS in your area

MONITORING DORIAN'S TRACK TOWARDS ATLANTIC CANADA

Dorian's centre is expected to move across central or eastern Nova Scotia on Saturday and pass near or over Prince Edward Island later tonight with tropical storm-force winds. The powerful winds will weaken as the system then moves near or over portions of Newfoundland and Labrador on Sunday.

The Maritimes are facing thousands of power outages with the majority being in Nova Scotia, where upwards of 390,000 customers affected as of 6:30 p.m. EST, according to Nova Scotia power. As well, the Macdonald Bridge connecting Dartmouth to Halifax in Nova Scotia is now impassable and has been closed.

Hurricane warnings are in effect for the south shore, central and eastern Nova Scotia, and western Newfoundland. Hurricane watches are in effect for eastern Prince Edward Island and the Magdalen Islands. Tropical storm-force winds, torrential rains and storm surge will accompany this powerful cyclone.

PHOTOS: Widespread damage ahead of Hurricane Dorian landfall in Atlantic Canada

Tropical storm warnings cover southeastern New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, western and northern Nova Scotia, parts of northern and southwestern Newfoundland, and the Magdalen Islands.

Storm surge warnings are in effect for Halifax and the Eastern shore. Kent County, Kouchibouguac National Park, Miramichi and area, and Moncton and Southeast New Brunswick have also been issued storm surge warnings. The Canadian Hurricane Centre says high storm surge levels and large waves are expected to impact the coast.

WATCH BELOW: WEATHER NETWORK REPORTERS BATTLE POWERFUL WINDS