But the weather expected to turn the corner Saturday

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The current streak of unsettled weather in Metro Moncton -- including showery, overcast conditions -- should soon be coming to an end, says an Environment Canada spokesman.

Claude Côté of Fredericton, a meteorologist for the national weather service, said the dismal weather continued yesterday with five millimetres (0.2 inches) of rain falling on the area, along with cloudy periods and only occasional sunny breaks.

And it does not get any better today, said Côté, noting that a 60 per cent chance of rainshowers or thundershowers is being forecast for this afternoon and evening. Tomorrow, he said showers are also predicted for southeastern New Brunswick, with the high only expected to reach the 11C (52F) mark.

Côté said the province, along with the rest of Atlantic Canada, Quebec and eastern Ontario, as well as the New England states, have all been under the same umbrella of unsettled weather conditions for the past week.

That is because the entire area is being negatively impacted by a huge "polar vortex" located high in the atmosphere, said the Environment Canada spokesman. Until the vortex finally shifts, he said the grey, drizzly weather will continue.

The good news, however, is that the polar vortex is gradually edging eastward and its centre should be over Newfoundland by Saturday, said Côté, adding that clearing should start occurring in Metro Moncton on Saturday.

Although a chance of showers is still forecast for that day, the temperature is expected to increase to a high of 15C (59F), said meteorologist. And on Sunday, he said the vortex will be completely by the area, with sunny conditions being predicted with a projected high of 18C (64F).

To most people in southeastern New Brunswick, Côté said May would appear to have featured an unusually high volume of rain this year.

But in actual fact, said the meteorologist, only 46 millimetres (1.8 inches) of rain have fallen. He said this is running below Moncton's monthly average of 97 millimetres (3.8 inches). However, there has been some rain on most days so far this month and that is what is frustrating people, explained Côté.

The average number of days for the whole month of May in Moncton with rainfall is 15, said the Environment Canada spokesman. Counting yesterday, the city has already received rain on 14 days this May, with a week and a half still left in the month, he said.

So, it's not the amount of rain, but its consistency day after day that has been taking a toll on the residents of southeastern New Brunswick, said Côté. He said it is difficult to plan outdoor events like barbecues and picnics during this kind of weather.

Hopefully, the weather should start improving on Saturday, he said.

n Charles Perry's weather appears daily.