Historic heat

By now everybody knows just how lame this past winter was in most of North America, with just a few exceptions. That snow less winter is setting up historic heat to start spring. Montreal broke another long standing temperature record on Tuesday smashing the previous one in the process. The high at Trudeau Airport was 23.5C (I had 25C here on L'Ile Perrot) eclipsing the old one of 13.9 set in 1946. It was part of nearly 200 record highs set across Ontario and Quebec since Monday, and hundreds more across the US. Both Milwaukee, Windsor, ON and Burlington, Vermont hit 80F yesterday, the earliest on record. Toronto set a new daytime high at 21C (19C - 1918), and Ottawa 25.8C (14.6C - 1995). Massena and Cornwall both hit record highs of 79F (26C), while Kemptville was 25.5C.

We will easily smash today's record of 16.7C set in 1946, most likely by noon if not sooner, that is the consolation prize. We are heading for the big prize today, the warmest March day on the books dating back to the 1800's. That temperature was 25.6C set on March 28, 1945. Montreal is forecasting 26C.

All this heat is creating some oddities, such as budding trees and popping tulips, nearly 6 to 8 weeks ahead of schedule. It has also meant a dismal maple season with most trees not producing sap any longer, having done so in some cases for less than a week. Conditions are also starting to dry out rapidly with very little precipitation this winter, and this is increasing the threat for grass and brush fires in some rural locations. We are also experiencing an early bout of smog in some major cities such as here in Montreal and Hamilton. Strong high pressure will give us two more hot days with mild overnights before a cold front snaps us back into reality by Friday and certainly Saturday night when we may see a snowflake or two and below freezing temperatures.