Saturday, December 31, 2016

Snow for southern Quebec to welcome 2017

Crawford Street in Verdun during the heavy snow that fell on Thursday. More snow is expected today to close out 2016. (ValleyWeather Photo)
Happy New Year
It is hard to believe, but another weather year is behind us. Environment Canada Senior Climatologist, David Phillips has posted his annual list of the top ten Canadian weather events for 2016. Of no surprise, leading the way is the Fort McMurray wildfire, followed by the record warm winter and La Nina. The entire list can be viewed at this link HERE.

SNOW to welcome 2017
Montreal will end the year on a rather snowy note, with 10 to 15cm falling on the region Thursday, and more snow forecast today. Thursday's snow was followed by gusty winds, in excess of 60km/h on Friday. The wind and fresh snow caused widespread blowing and drifting across southern Quebec highways. The wind is calm this morning, but it is cold, at -16C (4F) here on L'Ile Perrot. This same winter storm crossed New England and Atlantic Canada. Heavy snow, in some cases over 60cm, brought down power lines and closed highways. Winds were fierce with the system, gusting over 160km/h (100mph) on Mount Washington in New Hampshire. In Atlantic Canada, Wreckhouse, Newfoundland recorded a wind gust to 176km/h (109 mph) on Friday.

Our attention now turns to a clipper system moving across the Great Lakes into southern Quebec today. Snow will spread from the Ottawa Valley this morning, into Montreal by noon. The snow will persist into the overnight, with 10-15cm expected across the St. Lawrence Valley. This will create snow covered and icy roads for New Years Eve travels. If you are planning to drive tonight, be prepared for changing weather conditions. If you plan to drink, leave the car at home.

A special weather statement covers this snow event in Ontario, with a winter weather advisory in effect for northern New York. Temperatures will be cold today, slowly warming to the freezing point by early Sunday morning. Skies will clear for Sunday, but another storm is on the way for late Monday. This next system will bring a round of freezing rain and rain to Montreal.

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