Damage & power outages from Montreal wind storm

The roof on this Pincourt home on L'Ile Perrot was peeled back from the fierce wind on Thursday.  (www.montrealgazette.com)

The wind is still gusty this morning in the 30-40km/h range in Montreal, but well down from the 60-80km/h sustained winds of Thursday. Departing low pressure responsible for all kinds of damage and injuries across eastern North America has finally moved well east of the area and off the eastern coast. In its wake we have a blustery and cold day with temperatures remaining fairly close to where they are now, -14C. This is a far cry from the record warmth of this week and about 25 degrees colder than 24 hours ago. Yesterday the wind peaked in gusts of 85km/h at Trudeau Airport but as high as 100km/h across the South Shore of the St. Lawrence River. The wind cut power to nearly 110,000 homes and businesses in Southern Quebec. It also caused structural damage around the region including car shelters blown over, a chimney toppled in downtown Montreal, trees knocked down and even a roof peeled back from a home here on L'Ile Perrot. The wind also played havoc with area traffic blowing some vehicles off the roads on Highway 25 north of Montreal, and knocking a transport onto its side on Highway 40 in Vaudreuil/Dorion.

Winds will diminish today as skies remain cloudy with a few flurries. Temperatures will gain maybe a degree or two but not much more before dropping to -18C tonight. The weekend will be cloudy with a few flurries or snow showers at times and chilly. If your travels take you anywhere around the Great Lakes be advised there is lots of snow squall activity. The squalls have been strong where they have occurred creating sudden white out conditions on Interstates 81 and 90 as well as the 401. Yesterday a squall in Detroit on I-75 resulted in a massive pile up and three fatalities. Drive with caution, be safe.