January thaw expected from coast to coast

Milder Pacific air is expected to dominate the weather pattern from coast to coast in Canada, through at least the middle of January. (AccuWeather.com Map)

What has been a rather gentle winter here in southern Quebec will continue this week, with a pronounced January thaw forecast. Mild Pacific air is forecast to dominate the balance of the month of January from coast to coast, with the arctic air briefly retreating back north. High pressure is in control to start the week, with sunshine and mild temperatures of 1C (33F) forecast for Montreal. The normal high for January 16 should be -6C (21F), with a normal low of -15C (5F).

Before the thaw arrives in full force, we will have to deal with low pressure and a warm front that have been producing widespread freezing rain across portions of the US plains. The ice storm has caused power outages and numerous accidents from Oklahoma into Kansas. The front will arrive late Tuesday, with a messy mix of snow and freezing rain. Amounts may warrant advisories or warnings, but none have been issued at this time. Temperatures will be mild throughout the upcoming week, with highs generally from plus 1 to 4C (33 to 39F), and overnight lows from -3 to -5C (23 to 27F). Once the precipitation ends on Wednesday, we can expect partial sunshine and warm temperatures well into next weekend. Enjoy the break from the winter cold, because indications are that February will be much more winter-like than the previous months so far this season.

Some of the large "parking lot" piles of snow around the city, like the one shown above in St. Laurent, will begin to melt a little this week. (ValleyWX)