Wide variety of weather over the next 24 hours in Montreal

A strong spring storm has produced heavy snow in Manitoba, western Ontario and Minnesota, as well as severe thunderstorms and tornadoes in the US Midwest. A wind gust to 96km/h occurred in Toronto on Wednesday. On Tuesday, the Trump Towers in Chicago was struck by lightning, perhaps a sign of just how polarizing he is.

Nearly all the snow has now melted in Montreal with the exception of a few dirty patches. We can thank nearly two weeks of well-above-normal temperatures, along with rain for the rapid thaw here in southern Quebec. Even the overnight temperatures have remained above freezing. The weather will turn rather active over the next 24 hours, as a strong storm moves from the western Great Lakes into central Quebec.

After the overnight rain, we can expect partly-cloudy skies to start the day, with a mild high of 12C (54F). This afternoon, a strong cold front will cross the region, with gusty winds and the possibility of isolated thunderstorms. Some of the storms may produce small hail. Winds will gust as high as 50km/h in Montreal and up to 80km/h in any thunderstorms. Colder air will filter in behind the front, with dropping temperatures and light rain changing to snow by midnight. The flurries will continue overnight with a low of -3C (27F). We may have as much as 2 or 3cm of snow by Friday morning in some locations across southern Quebec. Friday will be breezy, with clearing skies. It will be much colder than it has been on Friday, with a high near 1C (33F). The weekend looks chilly as well, with overnight lows near -10C (14F) and daytime highs near 0C (32F).

A coastal storm will likely leave Montreal on the western edge of the precipitation once again. (AccuWeather)

Potential Spring Snowstorm
Despite Sunday being the first day of spring, a strong ocean storm is forecast to develop along the US east coast by late Saturday and move towards Atlantic Canada by Monday morning. At this time, it looks like Montreal will remain on the western edge of the system, but it bears watching. Measurable snow is possible from the Eastern Townships into New England, with cold northeast winds and a few flurries in Montreal by Sunday night and Monday. A major snowstorm is quite likely for portions of eastern Quebec into New Brunswick and PEI.