Nova Scotians are being urged to prepare for a hurricane, though it's still unclear what effect Hurricane Earl will have on the province.

The Category 4 storm was headed north Tuesday after hammering islands in the northeastern Caribbean. Forecasters say Earl may brush the U.S. East Coast late Thursday.

Chris Fogerty, program supervisor for the Canadian Hurricane Centre, said Nova Scotia could feel Earl's impact on Friday or Saturday.

"But the track could be anywhere from Maine to the eastern tip of Newfoundland, and for Nova Scotia that could lead to vastly different weather scenarios," he told CBC News.

Tuesday's forecast has the storm potentially passing over mainland Nova Scotia. But Fogerty said Earl could track over Sable Island, which would mean sunny weather for the mainland.

He said forecasters will know more late Wednesday or Thursday.

Lessons learned from Juan

Hurricane Earl remains on the provincial government's radar.

Ramona Jennex, minister responsible for the Emergency Management Office, said Nova Scotians should have emergency supplies ready, such as water, a first aid kit and a flashlight.

She said there were many lessons learned from Hurricane Juan, the Category 2 storm that pummelled the province in 2003.

"People were not mindful that something big can hit hard quickly. So one of the lessons we've learned is that Nova Scotians should be reminded to be ready at all times," she said.

Jennex said provincial officials will meet with meteorologists at Environment Canada over the next few days.

With files from The Associated Press