Finally, sunshine and warm weather for Montreal

A flooded car remains behind in Gatineau, Quebec. Flood waters are receding, but now the daunting task of the massive cleanup begins. (CBC Photo)

The state of emergency has been lifted in Montreal.
All residents wishing to return home in the City of Montreal, must contact 311.
The flood warning for the St. Lawrence and Ottawa Rivers, remain in effect, but water levels are lowering.

As I walked my dog in the rain this morning for what seemed like the 30th consecutive day, I did so with the knowledge that the end of the ugly weather is near. A rather potent coastal storm remained far enough east of the region over the weekend, to just deliver Montreal a glancing blow. As a result, only 5 to 10mm of rain fell in the region, with no additional impacts at all to the flood situation. It was miserable weather however, with temperatures struggling to reach the low teens on Sunday. The coastal storm in question even produced a late season snowstorm for the mountains of New Hampshire, with over 50cm falling on Mount Washington. High pressure will slowly build into the region early this week, with spring weather returning, and even a taste of summer. Skies will clear out today, with temperatures rising to near 20C (68F). Tuesday through Thursday will feature sunshine and very warm temperatures, we could see upper 20's, and perhaps 30C (86F) by Thursday in Montreal. A cold front late Thursday will produce a round of showers and thunderstorms, before skies clear out on Friday.

Flood Update
The flood situation in southern Quebec is slowly improving, but a massive cleanup lies ahead. Water levels have stabilized on the Saint Lawrence River, and are lowering on the Ottawa River. The state of emergency in effect in Montreal over the last week, was lifted Sunday at noon. Most major roads are now open, as are all schools in the region. Flood waters remain in Rigaud, parts of Terrasse Vaudreuil, Ile Mercier and Pierrefonds. In Riguad, residents are still being asked to remain away from the flood zone. Municipal officials want to accompany them back to their homes, to assess the risk and damage. Nearly 130 municipalities were affected by flooding in the province, with 4500 residents evacuated. Now the massive cleanup begins, with tons of debris already deposited over the weekend in front a drying out homes and in bins set up by the City of Montreal. Nearly 2600 Canadian Armed Forces troops remain on the ground across eastern Ontario and southern Quebec assisting residents and first responders.