Friday, October 16, 2009

Snow to our south

Heavy wet snow brought down trees in Sate College, PA. Photo from AccuWeather

It has been quite the stormy week to our south and east as two storms have moved up the east coast of the US and Canada. A third one is currently developing along the Carolina coast while storm 2 moves towards Newfoundland, so lets begin there. Winter Storm Warnings have been posted for interior sections of the province for 15-20cm of heavy wet snow before it ends Saturday. Winds will be very strong over the entire province, gusting to 120km/h along the coast and 80km/h inland. This will be the second major storm this week to affect the province with a third poised to arrive late Sunday.

Along the eastern seaboard of the US coastal flooding has been reported from North Carolina to New Hampshire. High surf has been driven by gale force winds and is piling water up along the coastlines. This will continue at least through Sunday. There is the potential for some major flooding. Inland heavy record October snow has been falling across the mountains of Pennsylvania and southern New York with rain mixed with snow in the valleys. The highest mountain tops have recorded over 10 inches of wet snow while the lower elevations have as much as 4 inches. Tree damage is widespread. More snow is expected this weekend from the third storm.

In Montreal we remain on the extreme northwest edge of the cloud shield. It has been cold enough for snow and a chilly northeast wind is blowing reminding us of the storm to our southeast. Montreal this morning was at -2C while Kemptville was -4C. Some surrounding areas were as cold as -6C. I have been reading a few forecast discussions, and there is still some uncertainty as to the impact on our region of the third storm Saturday. It appears it too will move far to the east and produce only some flurries in Vermont and northern New York with scattered clouds in Montreal. That may change but so far the weekend forecast looks fair but chilly for Quebec and Ontario.

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