Tuesday, January 26, 2010

January Thaw

Flooding in Buffalo, NY. Photo D.Gee, Buffalo News

Record breaking rainfall has changed to light snow this morning in Montreal as temperatures hover near the freezing point. Radar is showing a wide swath of light snow on the backside of Monday's powerful storm, across the Ottawa Valley, eastern Ontario and into Quebec. The snow should continue for most of the morning hours with gusty northwest winds. It is considerably colder this morning at 0C down from yesterday's high of 8C in Montreal. Heavy rain set records across the region with 32mm in Montreal, 38mm in Kemptville and 41mm in Ottawa. That amount in Ottawa broke a record for the 24 hour period set back in 1995 with 33.6mm. The moisture laden storm is now moving across Atlantic Canada and off the east coast.

Heavy rain also fell across most of Ontario and into New York and Vermont. Many localities recorded over 50mm including Buffalo and Trenton. There were numerous reports of flooding of underpasses and highways and along area rivers. There was even a mudslide in Montreal along St. Jacques Street West closing two lanes of the roadway. Rivers and streams will have to be closely monitored for the next several days. Remember that all ice is extremely unsafe and unstable at this time.

The balance of the week will feature a return to winter weather with periods of light snow and much colder weather into Thursday before high pressure clears us out for a cold and sunny Friday and Saturday.

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