Sunday, May 15, 2011

Time for the Ark?


The radar image from AcuWeather says it all. A defined boundary is stationary and producing rain over the area. Meanwhile in the bottom right of the image low pressure is moving north with more heavy rain and thunderstorms.

I am not saying we should be building the ark just yet but perhaps drawing up the plans. A stubborn frontal boundary draped just south of the international border continues to be the focus of heavy rain across the St. Lawrence Valley and south into the Townships and northern New York and Vermont. In the last 24 hours between 25-50mm of rain has fallen (1-2 inches) with at least that much on the way. It is not out of the realm of possibility that we could see 100mm by weeks end, perhaps more if we get thunderstorms on Thursday. Another big low developing off the Carolina coast will move north and enhance the moisture over the region. Heavy rain warnings remain in effect today for the region. It is cold as well for mid May with strong northeast winds sending chilly air down the valley. Montreal is only 7C and tomorrow we will do no better than 5C. The normal high for today is 20C.

The rain is not good news for the already swollen Lake Champlain and Richelieu River. Until yesterday levels were slowly receding but that has stopped this morning and they are back on the rise. Lake Champlain at Rouses Point, NY on the Canada/US border is 101.8 feet and expected to rise again to 102.2 feet by Tuesday. There no relief in the rain and showers before Friday.

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