Winter Storm Update

Crews and contractors on L'Ile Perrot and around the region are busy moving and piling snow in parking lots making room for this weeks expected storm. While we have only had around 30cm of snow this month, (between 130-140cm for the season), most of the winter snow is still around because of the cold temperatures since early December. We have only had two days above 0C this month, January 1st and 2nd. (ValleyWX Pic)

It is a cold morning across portions of eastern Ontario and southwestern Quebec. Montreal is - 21C with Ottawa -24C and Kemptville at -23C. High pressure will dominate today with light winds and sunny skies. Temperatures will be cold, no better than minus 15C. The weather will then become very interesting from Tuesday into Thursday. The much talked and written about Groundhog Day storm will begin to take shape. Low pressure is expected to develop over north Texas and move north towards the lower Great Lakes. It will then move northeast across southernNew England and off the coast by early Thursday. Light snow is expected to begin on Tuesday across many parts of the region slowly spreading east. This is the appetizer for the big snows on Wednesday. Snow will become very heavy during the day on Wednesday from southwest Ontario and western New York spreading north and east towards Vermont and extreme southern Quebec. I think the heaviest snow will remain south of Montreal - but just south. It will be a close call.

This morning, Winter Storm Watches have been hoisted from the Midwest into New England including the bordering counties of Upstate New York and Vermont. Early estimates are for 1 to 2 feet of wind blown snow for the region. Meanwhile on this side of the border 20-30cm (8-12 inches) in southern Ontario including Toronto is likely with lesser amounts as you go north and east. The forecast for Montreal has been flip flopping for the last 24 hours but I would say a good 15cm is possible with a gusty northeast wind producing blowing and drifting snow especially south of the city. The snow would likely end by late Wednesday. Any travel on Wednesday outside the metro region will be difficult and perhaps not advisable south of the city into the US and Townships. This is a developing situation and forecasts will change so check back often for updates. Expect a watch or warning for a portion of Ontario and Quebec later today or early Tuesday. Behind the storm it will be windy and chill on Thursday with clearing skies.

This storm will affect a wide area from Chicago to New York and into Atlantic Canada. Travel will be difficult in may areas. Northern Illinois and northwest Indian are under Blizzard Watches. Travel could be brought to a standstill at some of North America's busiest airports.