Hurricane Dorian is expected to spin into Atlantic Canada this weekend, as either a Category 1 hurricane or a strong tropical storm. Churning out sustained winds of up to 130 kilometres per hour.

The storm will track along the U.S. eastern seaboard to North Carolina's Cape Hatteras on Friday and move near to Nova Scotia on Saturday, then on to Newfoundland on Sunday.

According to the National Hurricane Centre in Miami, Category 1 hurricanes can break large tree limbs, pull off shingles and vinyl siding and topple trees with shallow roots.

That means widespread power outages are a key concern for emergency planners.

Heavy rainfall is expected especially north and west of Dorian's track.