The 50th Anniversary of the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald - November 10

The Edmund Fitzgerald in calmer times. (Photo: Bob Campbell)

The wind in the wires made a tattle-tale sound
And a wave broke over the railing
And every man knew, as the captain did too,
T'was the witch of November come stealin'.
Gordon Lightfoot
© 1976 Moose Music, Inc.

It was 50 years ago on November 10, 1975 at approximately 7:20 pm that the iron ore carrier Edmund Fitzgerald went down in a fierce fall storm on Lake Superior. While weather played a definite role, the exact details of the sinking of the ship remain a mystery today. The ship went down quickly, with very little warning or Mayday, taking 29 lives with her. The sinking was caused in part by a strong November Gale or "November Witch". Oddly enough on this 50th Anniversary, we have a similar but weaker storm heading from the Ohio Valley towards the Great Lakes over the next 48 hours. A gale warning is in effect for parts of the region, with the system expected to produce rough waters, strong winds, lake effect snow and rain.

The mangled lifeboat was recovered shortly after the sinking, showing the power of the wind and waves that night. The exact cause of the sinking remains a mystery still today 50 years later. (mghd.org)

The 1975 storm was as intense as they come with 20 foot waves on Lake Superior and winds gusting well over 50 knots. The severe weather was confined to an area along the immediate trajectory of the storm, and especially rough in the waters of eastern Lake Superior, exactly where the Edmund Fitzgerald was. It was a case of the wrong place at exactly the wrong time. The storm was known as a November Witch and classified as a weather bomb, with rapidly dropping pressure from 1000mb over Kansas to 978mb over James Bay in less than 24 hours. The rapid intensification and speed of the storm caught the ship and its crew almost without warning. 

Several memorial services are planned each year including the annual event at Whitefish Point, Michigan, not far from the final resting place of the majestic ship and her crew of 29 brave men. The bell from the Edmund Fitzgerald was recovered in 1995 and has been rung 30 times each year at Whitefish Point on the anniversary of her sinking. This represents all 29 men on board as well as the many others who have perished on Lake Superior. The ship sits in 162 metres (about 530 feet) of water just inside the Canadian boundary, 17 miles north of Whitefish Point, Michigan in Lake Superior.

The chilling image of the Edmund Fitzgerald, resting as a memorial to her 29 man crew in 530 feet of water in  Lake Superior. (Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum Photo)

The wreck has been investigated on at least 30 dives, but none since 1995. Ocean explorer Jean-Michel Cousteau, the son of the late Jacques Cousteau became the first person to lay eyes on the ship in 1980. "The ship was amazingly beautiful because it's deep and cold and nothing's growing on it or very little," he said. Dives to the ship were suspended in 1995 after the bell was recovered by the Canadian Navy and the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum. The wreck is now considered a protected gravesite and no further permits have been issued by the Canadian Government in the last 30 years.

The exact cause of the sinking of the great Edmund Fitzgerald remains a hotly debated mystery still today, 50 years later. Some think the ship struck bottom near Caribou Island and began taking on water. Others think a massive roque wave drove her straight to the bottom of Lake Superior where she rests in a matter of minutes. Still others say the ship broke in two from constant wear over the lifespan of the ship, which dated back to June 7, 1958.

The launch of the Edmund Fitzgerald in Wisconsin on June 7, 1958. (Fox News Detroit) 

The Edmund Fitzgerald had left Superior, Wisconsin late in the day on November 9th, 1975 with a cargo of 26,116 tons of taconite pellets on her way to Detroit. There are a series of photos, information and very chilling radio chatter from 1975 at www.shipwreckmuseum.com

Snowfall Warning for Montreal

The first significant snow of the season will arrive on Sunday, with 10 to 20cm possible from Montreal north and west into the Ottawa Valley and the Laurentians. Travel will be difficult at best.

Snowfall Warning in effect for metro Montreal, eastern Ontario and the Ottawa Valley for Sunday.

The first significant snowfall of the season is expected Sunday into Monday across portions of southern Ontario into southwestern Quebec. Low pressure will move down the St. Lawrence Valley on Sunday and east of Montreal into New England on Monday.

The warmer temperatures of early Saturday are gone for at least the next week if not longer. Montreal reached 10C (50F) during the overnight hours as a warm front lifted across the region. That was quickly followed by a cold front, gusty northwest winds, flurries and dropping temperatures for most of Saturday. Overnight lows by Sunday morning will be near -1C (30F) and remain nearly stationary all day Sunday.

Snow will overspread the region Sunday morning, possibly mixed with freezing rain or rain south of the St. Lawrence River, with all snow north of the valley. Expect 5 to 10cm of snow on Sunday in Montreal, with an additional 5 to 10cm by Monday morning. Roads will become snow covered and slippery.  Northeast winds of 20-40km/h will make it feel even colder, and lower visibilities in steady snow. This will be a shock for many, as Montreal has barely had a snowflake or any frost so far this fall.

Driving conditions will become very poor on area highways, especially as this is the first snow of the season, and most drivers are not prepared. Leave the car at home if you do not have winter tires installed. Consider changing travel plans if possible and perhaps working from home on Monday.

Colder air will filter in behind the low Sunday night, changing any mixed precipitation back to all snow. Temperatures will remain at or below 0C (32F) throughout Monday. The week ahead will remain unsettled and cold with more flurries possible through Wednesday.

First snowflakes of the season on the horizon for Montreal

Snow has already fallen this week in spots across the Eastern Townships into the White mountains of New Hampshire and parts of Vermont. More snow is expected through Monday, with locations like Jay Peak, Vermont picking up as much as 20cm. Snow may also fall in the valley locations by Sunday night, including Montreal. (NHDOT Photo)

Measurable snow is possible by late Sunday into Monday morning for parts of southern Quebec.

First of all, if you do not have your snow tires on yet, now is the time to seriously consider doing so. Our weather will turn unseasonably cold over the next week, while a series of clipper systems moves southeast across Ontario and into New England. This will produce enough cold air for some snow to fall. While this will not be a big storm, the first snow of the season in any form usually sparks panic on the roads. Be ready!

Alberta Clippers are weaker areas of low pressure that develop in the southern Prairies and move rather quickly east across Ontario and Quebec. They often gain a little strength when the waters of the Great Lakes have yet to freeze. Clippers usually have limited moisture, so they are not our big storms, but they do produce squally weather, strong winds and a sharp drop in the temperatures on the back side of the systems.

November has already produced more seasonable weather in Montreal, after a warm September and October. Snow may fall next week across parts of southern Quebec. (Valley Weather Photo)

We have three such systems forecast to move across our region through Monday. The first on Wednesday, will produce showers and gusty west winds. Wind speeds may top 60km/h in the St. Lawrence Valley. Temperatures will only reach 6C (43F) for a high, followed by morning lows close to the freezing point. On Thursday, behind the first clipper, temperatures will hold steady at 2C (36F), along with blustery conditions and perhaps a snowflake or two. The chilly air will persist into Friday.

Another clipper late Friday, will pass north of Montreal, allowing some warm air to briefly enter the forecast. After a cold morning, highs will reach 8C (47F) on Saturday. On Sunday, the strongest of the three clippers will move south of Montreal, dragging a potent cold front behind it. Temperature will fall to below freezing Sunday night as the coldest air of the season to date arrives across Ontario and Quebec.

Any rain Sunday will change to wet snow overnight into Monday morning across the Ottawa Valley and into Montreal, with a slushy centimetre or two possible for many locations. Temperatures will drop below freezing Sunday night and likely remain near 0C (32F) for highs on Monday. Tuesday will remain breezy and cold, with flurries and a high near 2C (36F).

By the way, how cold is the air over Northern Canada? On Wednesday morning as I write this post, Eureka, Nunavut is -37.6C.

Windy, wet and chilly Halloween in Montreal

It is looking like a wet, dark and chilly Halloween night in Montreal, along with blustery winds up to 60km/h. We may see a break in the heavier rain for the kids to trick or treat, but I think conditions will still be wet and cold throughout the evening. Warm costumes, umbrellas and bright colours are in order, stay safe and have fun!

Happy Halloween

Heavy rainfall warning remains in effect for southern Quebec.

The weather will be damp, windy and chilly for Trick or Treating in Montreal this Halloween.

Deep low pressure moving across upstate New York along with a second storm system developing along the Atlantic coast, will produce lots of rain across southern Quebec for Halloween. Waves of moisture have brought 30 to 40mm to Montreal already since Thursday morning, with another 20 to 30mm expected Friday. 

The rain will be heavy at times, as it has been during the Friday morning commute in Montreal. Visibility is down to a few kilometres at best in heavy rain, making for slow travel, along with numerous accidents on rain slicked roads. Some minor flooding has been reported as well, especially in areas with poor drainage or leaves blocking the sewers.

As the low pressure moves to our east, the gusty northeast winds will back to the west and increase 40-70km/h at times. Temperatures will drop from our current highs near 9C (48F), down into the low single digits, around 3C (38F) tonight. The steady rain will taper to showers this evening. 

As colder air moves into the region, the rain may change to a period of snow across the higher elevations, with perhaps a flake or two in the valley locations by Saturday morning. On Saturday, expect a chilly high of 6C (43F), along with blustery northwest winds of 30-50km/h and cloudy skies. High pressure will try to clear the skies out for Municipal Election Day Sunday, but I think partly to mostly cloudy skies should prevail, along with a high of only 6C (43F).

Heavy rainfall warning issued for southern Quebec

Mount Royal and the Montreal skyline during a spectacular October sunrise on Wednesday morning. The sun is gone for a few days, with heavy rain and gusty winds arriving just in time for Halloween. (Valley Weather Photo)

Widespread heavy rainfall warnings have been issued for southern Quebec and eastern Ontario, with 40-70mm forecast. Deepening low pressure will move from the Ohio Valley into southern New England today, while a secondary low develops along the middle Atlantic coast. That low will draw in some moisture form hurricane Melissa as it travels between Bermuda and the offshore waters of Atlantic Canada. The heavy rain may cause some minor flooding issues, especially where falling leaves are blocking sewers and gutters.

Rainfall from the first low has already arrived in Montreal Thursday morning, and should fall throughout most of the day. Overnight into Friday morning, additional moisture will arrive from the southeast, with localized heavy rain possible. Winds will increase from the northeast Thursday 20-40km/h, backing to the northwest Friday afternoon, and increasing to 30-50km/h. The cool, damp and breezy weather will make for a rather challenging Halloween in Montreal. I still think that the weather may break for Trick or Treating, with more showery conditions opposed to heavy rain.

Regardless of the precipitation falling, the weather will dark, windy and downright spooky. Temperatures will be chilly, in the 5C to 9C (41F to 49F) range throughout the forecast period and into the weekend. There may even be a few snowflakes on Halloween night as much cooler air moves in behind the departing low. They will most likely be confined to the higher elevations, but I would not be surprised to see a flake or two around Montreal into Saturday morning.

Skies will finally clear by Sunday as high pressure settles into the region.

Extensive damage across Jamaica from Hurricane Melissa

Ground zero for Hurricane Melissa was New Hope and Black River (above) in the southwestern part of Jamaica. Significant damage was reported with many structures failing in the 185mph winds. (Black River Fire Brigade)

The Canadian Red Cross is accepting donations for Jamaican hurricane relief HERE.

The island nation of Jamaica has declared a state of emergency after powerful category 5 Hurricane Melissa swept across the country on Tuesday. Melissa was the strongest storm in modern times to strike Jamaica, with landfall near New Hope at 1pm Tuesday. At landfall, Melissa was the third strongest hurricane on record in the Atlantic Basin, with winds of 295km/h (185 mph), and a barometric pressure of 892mb. Only Wilma in 2005 and Gilbert in 1988 were stronger.

Melissa slashed across the country with fierce winds and torrential rainfall. Communications were brought down, along with trees and power lines. Many structures failed in the relentless winds. Major flooding has been reported across the country, as Melissa dumped between 350 and 750mm of rain.

Hurricane Melissa at 1pm Tuesday afternoon, making landfall near New Hope in southwestern Jamaica. (NOAA)

In Black River and New Hope near where landfall occurred, homes were shredded along with a hospital and police station. Debirs lines the streets, with many roofs torn from homes. The storm produced significant damage at Sangster International Airport near Montego Bay, where video showed flooding and roof failure. 

The full extent of the damage has yet to be determined as many parts of the country are completely isolated due to significant flooding and blocked roads. The death toll stands at 7 across the Caribbean, with three reported in Jamaica.

Melissa remains a dangerous hurricane Wednesday morning, bringing strong winds and flooding rains to eastern Cuba. The storm was located 70km northwest of Guantanamo Bay, with 165km/h winds (105 mph) and a central pressure of 968mb. The good news is the storm had been downgraded to a category three, but remains a major hurricane. The forward speed has increased to 22km/h. Hurricane conditions will spread into the Bahamas on Wednesday before Melissa heads for Bermuda.

Canadian Hurricane Centre forecast track showing Melissa coming close to Newfoundland on Saturday. (CHC)

By Saturday, Melissa will be in Canadian waters, undergoing extra tropical transfomation southeast of Newfoundland. Heavy surf, strong gusty winds and even some rainfall may be possible for southeastern Newfoundland and the Avalon Peninsula as the storm begins to expand in size into an extratropical cyclone. Details to follow in future posts.

Frightening weather forecast for Halloween in Montreal

Dark skies and showers early in the week gave way to sunshine and typical October weather on Tuesday and Wednesday. Unfortunately, the fair weather will not hold for Halloween, with strong low pressure expected to bring Montreal a damp, breezy and cool night for Trick or Treating. (Valley Weather)

Expect a cool, breezy and damp Halloween night in Montreal.

After a rather chilly but fair weather week in Montreal, low pressure will move into the region unfortunately bringing with it a wet Halloween forecast. High pressure will dominate our weather Wednesday, with sunny skies, light winds and a seasonable high around 10 (50F).

Clouds will increase overnight as low pressure begins to organize in the Tennessee Valley. This system will deepen as it move along the spine of the Appalachians into southern New England. A surge of moisture ahead of the storm will push rain into the St. Lawrence Valley on Thursday. 

Meanwhile a secondary area of low pressure will develop along the middle Atlantic coast and become the stronger storm as it lifts into northern Maine by Saturday. Deep Atlantic moisture will stream into southern Quebec on Friday. Combined both these storms will deliver a soaking rain from late Thursday into Friday. In all, 25-50mm is possible in the Montreal region.

The hope is that the steady rain will taper to a more showery situation by Trick or Treating time Friday night, but the weather will still be damp, breezy and cool regardless. Temperatures will be cool throughout the period, with lows around 5C (41F) and daytime highs in the upper single digits. Sunday turns even colder with lows near freezing and a high around 6C (43F). Gusty northwest winds will make it feel even colder.

Saturday will remain cold and damp with scattered showers and even a snowflake or two across the higher elevations of the Eastern Townships, Adirondacks and Green Mountains.

Powerful Hurricane Melissa to slam Jamaica

A NOAA Satellite image of powerful hurricane Melissa early Monday morning, 205 kilometres south of the Jamaican coast, with 260km/h winds. The storm is expected to produce catastrophic damage and flooding along its path across Jamaica and into Cuba over the next 48 hours. (NOAA)

What could be the strongest hurricane to hit Jamaica since Gilbert in 1988, is poised to make landfall Monday night across the south coast of the country. Hurricane Melissa is a powerful Category 5 storm early Monday morning, located 205 kilometres south, southwest of Kingston over the very warm waters of the Caribbean Sea.

A NOAA Recon Aircraft reported winds of 260km/h (160 MPH) at 5AM Monday, with a barometric central pressure of 917mb. Melissa could be historically the strongest storm to hit Jamaica since record keeping began. Gilbert was a Category 3 storm when it hit the island nation in 1988. That storm was the worst natural disaster ever to hit Jamaica, producing an incredible $2.9 billion dollars in damages. Gilbert was responsible for 45 deaths, leaving 500,000 homeless in Jamaica.

Melissa could be the strongest hurricane to ever hit Jamaica since Gilbert in 1988. The approach to the coast from the south is particularly concerning, with a path forecast across the most populated portion of the island nation. (NewScientist/AP Photo)

A hurricane warning has been issued for Jamaica, southern and western sections of Hispaniola as well as eastern Cuba. A hurricane watch was issued Monday morning for the Bahamas. Melissa is drifting west at 6km/h, but expected to turn north and east into Jamaica tonight and across eastern Cuba on Tuesday. Torrential rainfall is expected to produce catastrophic flooding and landslides across several Caribbean Islands, with 350 to 750mm forecast, with the highest amounts reaching up to 1000mm (40 inches).

Weather conditions are already deteriorating rapidly Monday morning across Jamaica, as winds, seas and flooding rainfall increase in intensity throughout Monday.

Winds are expected to gust between 200 and 300km/h, especially across the highest mountaintops. A storm surge of 9 to 13 feet is expected along the south coast of Jamaica. Mandatory evacuations have been ordered in coastal regions. Melissa is expected to remain a major hurricane through the next 48 hours as it moves across Cuba and towards the Bahamas, eventually brushing past Bermuda. At this time, Melissa is expected to remain well east of the US coastline passing southeast of Atlantic Canada.