Mother Nature puts on a Canada Day show in Montreal

Last evenings thunderstorms were simply spectacular. The incredible photo above was taken by Photographer Steve Walsh along the Verdun waterfront. It was just one of more than 15,000 lightning strikes recorded by Environment Canada during the storms. You can see more of Steve's amazing work by clicking here.

Heat Advisory in effect for southern Quebec

Weather is dominating the news in Montreal this Canada Day. A stifling heatwave is well underway, with temperature and humidity levels more common in south Florida than Montreal. At 1:15pm, I'm recording 33C (92F) here on L'Ile Perrot, but that is only part of the story, the relative humidity is 70 percent, with dew point readings in the middle 20s. The result is an extremely oppressive and dangerously hot day in Montreal and across southern Quebec and Ontario, with humidex values creeping into the middle 40s. The National Capital is also a hot place to be on this Canada Day, at 34C (94F) and a humidex of 47C, they are currently the warmest location in the country.

Widespread weather warnings for high heat and humidity are in effect across Ontario, Quebec, Atlantic Canada and into New England and New York. The National Weather Service issued its first ever Excessive Heat Warning for the St. Lawrence and Champlain Valley locations. This is issued when heat index values exceed 40C (105F). The heat index is forecast to be as high as 44C (110F), today and again Monday. This is an historical heatwave to say the least. There has been little relief overnight, with temperatures remaining in the low to middle 20s, This hot forecast is expected to last well into the late stages of the upcoming week. Be vigilant and respectful of this heat, drink plenty of fluids and check on those most at risk, children and seniors. Keep your pets indoors and away from hot cars.

Wicked Thunderstorms
On Saturday evening, intense isolated thunderstorm cells developed over southern Quebec, crossing the Island of Montreal between 9pm and 11pm. The storms produced hevay rainfall and hail. Here on L'Ile  Perrot, I was caught in nickle size hail. Hail being driven into your car at high speeds is very unnerving to say the least. The real story with the storms was the intense lighting. With plenty of energy in the atmosphere, the super cell storms produced a record amount of lightning strikes. Within a 50km radius of Montreal, Environment Canada recorded in excess of 15,000 individual lightning strikes during the evening storms. More storms are possible each day this week with the building heat, but the chances are low that any one area will see activity.