Lake effect snow followed by more record warmth

Lake effect snow is falling this morning in Boonville, New York south of Watertown. Heavy snow will produce 1 to 2 feet (30-60cm) in narrow bands downwind of the Great Lakes today into Sunday. Avoid travel south on Interstate 81 from the Thousand Islands to Syracuse today if possible. (NWS Binghampton)

The coldest air mass of December is sweeping across eastern North America this morning with temperatures at or below freezing. Along with the cold air is a swath of lake effect snow and flurries that is impacting portions of Ontario, around Georgian Bay and Lake Huron, as well as the traditional snow belts of western New York. Elsewhere, it will be a chilly and blustery day with northwest winds up to 50km/h in Montreal, and steady temperatures of 0C (32F). A few flurries are possible today with perhaps a dusting of snow in some locations. Closer to lakes Erie and Ontario, 1 to 2 feet of lake effect snow is possible south of Watertown, NY along Interstate 81, as well as south of Buffalo along I-90. Despite the colder air, Montreal already had a high temperature today of 2C (36F), the 19th consecutive day above freezing. On Sunday expect partly cloudy skies in Montreal with early morning lows near -9C (16F) and daytime highs of -1C (30F).

Green Christmas

Very warm weather will return early next week guaranteeing Montreal and the entire region a green Christmas. Temperatures will be well above normal with near record highs of plus 7 to 10C (45 to 50F) forecast by Christmas Eve. Along with the warm air will be the threat for rain on Monday and again by Thursday. Whether it is raining or not, the entire week will be mostly cloudy. The mild air is forecast to last at least until the end of the month in southern Quebec.