Flood waters should crest this week in Montreal

Canadian Armed Forces patrolling a flooded neighbourhood in Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac on Monday. (Post Media)

Full details and updates on the spring flooding in Quebec and Ontario are available HERE.

Thousands evacuate Sainte-Marthe after dike failure

Firefighters along with Provincial Police and the Canadian Armed Forces rushed into Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac after a dike failed sending feet of water pouring into the community Saturday night. (CBC)

The state of emergency remains in effect in Montreal, Ile Perrot, Vaudreuil Dorion and several other western Quebec communities. Thousands of volunteers continue to fill sandbags and build dikes from Ottawa to Montreal in an effort to hold back Mother Nature. The Ottawa River flowing into Lake of Two Mountains and around the northern edge of Montreal via Riveres-des-Prairies, continues to flow at historic levels. The rain has finally come to an end Sunday, with a crest expected within the next 36 hours. Afterwards water levels should begin to stabilize. More rain is forecast by Wednesday, but let's take one day at a time for now.

DIKE FAILURE
Last evening around 8pm, a dike failed along Lake of Two Mountains in Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac northwest of Montreal. Several feet of water poured into homes south of Chemin Oka in a matter of minutes. The SQ and Canadian Armed Forces along with firefighters and police form at least 10 neighboring communities rushed to the region to evacuate more than 6000 residents. This morning, those evacuees are staying in the Two Mountains Legion, while efforts are underway to repair the dike. Hydro Quebec has cut power to the affected parts of the municipality, and a boil water advisory has been issued. Most evacuated residents had less than an hour to escape before the water rushed in. No injuries were reported. Police are going door to door Sunday morning along approximately 50 different streets in the community to make certain everyone is out.

Water creeps closer to Sainte-Charles Avenue in Vaudreuil-Dorion. The off-island municipality was forced to close the main north/south route on Saturday due to major flooding near Leger Street. (Valley Weather)

In Montreal and Ile Perrot as well as in Vaudreuil-Dorion and Hudson, Sunday will be a repeat of the last 10 days, the battle to stay ahead of rising waters. The Galipeault Bridge remains closed between Ile Perrot and Montreal, as does one lane inbound on Highway 40 at the Iles-aux-Tourtes Bridge. Tolls have been waived on Highway 30 towards Beauharnois, in an effort to provide an alternate route around the flooding and into Montreal. Exo has also announced that the Vaudreuil-Hudson commuter train line will be free starting Monday, and remain that way until the bridge is reopened.

In addition to the bridge and lane closures, numerous other roads and provincial highways have been forced to shut. Saint-Charles Avenue in Vaudreuil-Dorion is also closed near Leger Street due to major flooding.

State of Emergency declared for Montreal

Mayor Valérie Plante declared a state of emergency Friday afternoon in Pierrefonds. (CBC) 

Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante has declared a state of emergency effective Friday afternoon. This is in response to widespread flooding occurring over the western and northern portions of the Island of Montreal. Major flooding is also expected in communities along the Ottawa River.

More flood coverage is available HERE.

More rain expected across southern Quebec

The City of Montreal is using snow clearing equipment to help push flood water back into Rivieres-des-Prairies. (West Island Flood Volunteers Photo courtesy of Doug Liberman).

The flood watch remains in effect for metro Montreal and the Ottawa Valley.

West Island Flood Volunteers need you - click here.

As volunteers and emergency personnel continue the effort of filling sandbags, building dikes and saving homes, more rain is falling across the swollen Ottawa River. Since late last evening, another 8mm of rain has fallen on Île Perrot, with more northwest of Montreal. The runoff, combined with melting snow and ice, continues to raise water levels along the Ottawa River and into Lake of Two Mountains. Water levels in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, were at 24.28 metres this morning, expected to rise to 24.36 metres by Thursday. The water spilling through the Carillon Hydro Station on the Ontario border is at 7700m3/second and forecast to rise to 8050m3/second by Thursday. For comparison, the mean flow is 2000m3/second. The current forecast has the water cresting by Thursday, but that is very dependent on the upcoming rain expected.

Flooding is also occurring in other parts of the province including across the Beauce region, and Gatineau, shown above. (Canadian Press Photo)

Volunteers continue to do amazing work in Laval, Île Bizard, Pierrefonds and Île Perrot among other regions. Pierrefonds Comprehensive High School has become sandbag central, with tons and tons of sand being scooped into bags and loaded onto trucks. The West Island Flood Volunteers continue to monitor the event, offering help and hope to homeowners. Volunteers are still needed. Visit their Facebook page for complete information or contact your municipality. The Canadian Armed Forces are also on the ground in Quebec, focusing their efforts at this time in Laval, Riguad and Gatineau.

Across the province, major flooding continues to occur south of Quebec City in the Beauce region as well as along the Ottawa River in Riguad and Pointe-Frotune. According to Urgence Quebec, over 1400 people have been evacuated province-wide, with 2900 homes flooded so far. Many more homes are isolated as roads become impassable by flooding.

The rain with our current system is almost over. Just some drizzle remains for Montreal on Wednesday. The weather will be breezy and rather chilly. High pressure builds into southern Quebec for Thursday, with a sunny day expected and normal temperatures around 14C (56F). Unfortunately, the dry weather will not last. Low pressure and a cold front will move across Ontario and Quebec Friday, with another 15 to 20mm of rain possible. The rain will be accompanied by gusty winds and dropping temperatures. Some parts of Quebec may even see snow late Friday. The weekend at this time looks cloudy and cool with showers.

Flooding will continue to be a threat across the entire region. Residents in the flood zone will need to remain vigilant well into next week.

West Island Flood Volunteers need your help

Flood water from Vaudreuil Bay surrounds a cottage on 7th avenue in Terrasse-Vaudreuil. The cottage, now owned by the municipality, was heavily damaged in 2017. (Valley Weather Photo)

West Island Flood Volunteers need your help now. Please visit their Facebook Page HERE.

The flood watch remains in effect for metro Montreal. For the latest information, please visit The Suburban Weather Page. CLICK HERE.

Flooding continues this morning along the Ottawa River, into Lake of Two Mountains and the rivers surrounding Montreal and Laval. The current level at the Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue locks is 24.24 metres, forecast to rise to 24.29 metres by Wednesday afternoon. Afterwards a steady decline is expected, however that may change as rain is in the forecast.

Major flooding has also been occurring in Rigaud, where nearly 200 homes have now been evacuated. 

After two days of perfect weather, rain is forecast across southern Quebec overnight Tuesday. A rather disorganized weather system is expected to bring showers and cooler temperatures through Wednesday, before the sun returns on Thursday. At this time, 10 to 15mm is possible, with more northwest of Montreal. Another system late Friday and Saturday could produce and additional 10 to 15mm of rain. Easter Monday was the warmest day of the year so far in Montreal, reaching 19C (66F).

WEST ISLAND FLOOD VOLUNTEERS

The sunshine was welcome by the hundreds of volunteers with the West Island Flood Volunteers who braved rising flood waters and damp, dreary weather most of this past weekend. The grassroots group, formed during the 2017 flood, has literally been saving home after home, one block at a time across the West Island, especially in hard-hit Pierrefonds and Île Bizard. The group, 2500 strong, responds to every single request for help. More volunteers are needed.

The Administrator of the group, Doug Liberman, raised the alarm early Friday, and the group sprung into action, filling and delivering thousands of sandbags and building dikes throughout the holiday weekend. Many others have been working behind the scenes, coordinating and dispatching teams and supplies, or reaching out to local restaurants and merchants for food and water. In many instances they have worked throughout the night.

When I asked Doug this morning if The Suburban could use one of his photos, his response was quick, amazing considering how busy the group has been.

"Yes! We need volunteers and anyone in need can post on our group and we will come. Help us get the word out. Thank you"

If you can help, reach out to the West Island Flood Volunteers via their Facebook page. The water continues to rise and the need is still great.

Flood risk on the rise across southern Quebec

Terrasse-Vaudreuil firefighters place sandbags along the swollen Ottawa River in May 2017. (ValleyWeather Photo)

Latest updates are available HERE.

A series of low pressure systems will deliver heavy rainfall across eastern Ontario and southern Quebec through Saturday. The heaviest rain is expected late Friday into Saturday morning, with showery weather persisting into next week. The rain, combined with melting snow and river ice, is expected to provide sharp rises to all area waterways. The focus in our region is on the Ottawa River and its tributaries, with flooding expected from Pointe-Fortune along the Ontario border into metro Montreal.

Several communities have been put on alert, including Rigaud, where devastating flooding occurred in 2017. Emergency measures have been put in place, with some evacuations expected. There is a real fear that water levels could be higher than the record flooding of 2017. To date, Montreal has already received 40mm of precipitation this month, while further up the Ottawa Valley, 54mm has fallen in Ottawa. Another 25 to 50mm or more of rainfall is anticipated through the upcoming weekend.

In metro Montreal, the Borough of Pierrefonds-Roxboro has already taken steps to protect residents from flooding along Riviere-des-Prairies. The borough is in alert mode as we head into the upcoming weekend. Pumps have been set up in advance of the predicted rising water. The residents of Terrasse-Vaudreuil, Ile Perrot and Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue have also been put on alert for potential flooding along the Ottawa River and Lake of Two Mountains. The gauge Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue locks is at 23.36 metres, just above flood stage of 23.30. South of Montreal, Lake Champlain is over 99 feet, with flood stage at 100 feet. Minor flooding is anticipated this weekend near Rouses Point, New York, with that water entering the Richelieu River Valley in Quebec.

Showery, mild weather is expected in Montreal Thursday, with breezy conditions and a warm high of 18C (65F). Strengthening low pressure will move along a frontal boundary during the day Friday, providing the region with heavy rainfall. The heavy rain will persist into Saturday. Temperatures will become cooler Friday afternoon as winds increase out of the north.

A special weather statement is in effect for Montreal, with potential warnings needed by Friday. Heavy rainfall warnings are in effect for the Ottawa Valley and eastern Ontario. A flood watch in in effect across most of northern New York and Vermont. Flooding has already occurred south of Quebec City in the Beauce region, and across portions of Vermont.

Freezing rain cuts power to over 300,000 Quebec homes

Widespread freezing rain across southern Quebec, produced massive power outages on Monday. Over 300,000 Hydro-Quebec customers were left in the dark and cold. The situation is only slightly better today. Utility crews have been brought in from other parts of the province. Above, crews work to restore power in Laval, north of Montreal. (CTV)

The winter that just won't end dealt southern Quebec another jolt yesterday, with a round of snow, strong winds and heavy freezing rain. More wintry precipitation is forecast today.

The late season ice storm cut power to over 300,000 southern Quebec homes from Laval north into the lower Laurentians and east towards Lanuadiere. Over 250,000 homes and businesses remain in the dark Tuesday morning as Hydro-Quebec scrambles to bring in crews from other parts of the province. The utility is working around the clock, but no estimate has been given for when power might be restored. The task is massive, with over 675 separate outages needing attention. Most schools in Laval and across the Laurentians have been closed today, with two warming shelters opened in Laval.

Tree damage along the north shore of Montreal. (Hydro-Quebec Photo)

On Monday, low pressure moved just south of Montreal producing over 15mm of freezing rain. Accompanying the frozen precipitation were winds in excess of 60km/h. Temperatures were just a touch colder north of the Island of Montreal, allowing the ice to accumulate rapidly on trees and power lines. Numerous branches made contact with hydro lines creating the massive power outage. Most regions south of Montreal, including at my home on L'Ile Perrot and across the south shore, were spared the freezing rain, with mostly liquid precipitation falling.

Hydro-Quebec is battling more wintry weather Tuesday as a second storm system slides south of the province. Additional weather warnings have been issued for the region for more freezing rain and up to 15cm of snow. The snow will spread into the region during the late morning and early afternoon.

Well below normal temperatures will prevail today, with a forecast high of only 1C (34F) in Montreal. The normal high should be 10C (50F) and the low 0C (32F).

Cool and stormy week ahead

Winter refuses to give up in Montreal, as another late season storm will pass close to the city on Monday, producing a messy mix of rain, freezing rain and snow. (AccuWeather.com)

Freezing Rain Warning in effect for metro Montreal.
Snowfall Warning posted for Quebec City.

It has been extremely difficult for any prolonged warm weather to become established across eastern Canada this spring. Each time it appears we may be in for a period of above normal temperatures, old man winter returns. The winter that started in late October, does not want to relinquish its hold on Montreal. Unfortunately this week looks no different, as our warm, spring-like Sunday will be replaced by another late season winter storm.

Strengthening low pressure will move along a frontal boundary just to the south of Montreal overnight into Monday. North and east of the front, cold northeast winds will prevail, along with wintry precipitation. Rain should start in Montreal late this evening and change to freezing rain overnight. The city will remain on the thin dividing line between rain and freezing rain. A freezing rain warning has been issued for the metro region, but I think most of the icing issues should be north of Montreal. That being said, we may have a few slick spots for the morning commute, especially in Laval, the Laurentians, and Ottawa Valley.

As you move northeast along the St. Lawrence River, the precipitation will change to snow, and become heavy at times. Quebec City along with regions of eastern Quebec, northern Maine and western New Brunswick, can expect 15-25cm of wet snow. Accompanying the precipitation across Quebec will be gusty winds of 50 to 70km/h. Any travel plans north and east of Montreal on Monday, should be reconsidered.

South of Montreal and across most of southern Ontario, the precipitation should remain in the form of rain. After a warm high of 11C (52F) in Montreal Sunday, temperatures will fall quickly down to the freezing point tonight, and only rise to 2C (35F) Monday.

Colder than normal April anticipated across southern Quebec

Strong winds swept across Quebec and Atlantic Canada on Wednesday and Thursday, gusting up to 80km/h in the Montreal region. The wind managed to flip a small aircraft on the tarmac in Saint-Lazare Thursday afternoon. No injuries were reported. (TVA News Photo)

The most recent computer guidance and forecast models are indicating a good chance of below normal temperatures for the duration of April. While that may seem like bad news at the onset, keep in mind that the average daytime high for April in Montreal, rises from 7C (45F) on the 1st of the month to 16C (61F) by the end. As a result, it may be colder than normal, but still well above freezing.

Pick up your garbage people! It amazes me how many people use the snow as their personal garbage can. The end result is a disgusting mess every spring. Not only is this an eyesore, but the tons of plastic and paper leaching into the snowmelt and running down the sewers creates an environmental danger. This embarrassing mess is located at the Mega Centre Côte-Vertu in Saint-Laurent. (ValleyWeather Photo)

That being said, there is always the chance for a surprise snowstorm or two, especially while temperatures are below normal. A look back at recent climatic data for Montreal shows some pretty impressive April snowfalls. On April 8/9, 2000, 38cm fell, while on April 27, 2010, 29.8cm was measured. During April 2007, an incredible 61.3cm fell for the month, for comparison, the normal is 12.9cm. One of the latest snowstorms on record in Montreal occurred on May 10, 1963, when 25.4cm fell over 36 hours. The message here, don't rush to remove your winter tires just yet, April is definitely a month of slow transition.

The first week of April has been true to form with daytime highs reaching nearly 10C on Tuesday and Wednesday, but struggling to reach 2C on Monday and Thursday. In addition to the mercury mood swings, the month has already produced some snow and winds up to 80km/h. Those winds even flipped a small aircraft parked on the tarmac in Saint-Lazare on Thursday. No injuries were reported. The 0.2cm of snow measured on Wednesday evening marks the 7th consecutive month with snowfall in Montreal.

Looking ahead we can expect more unsettled, moody weather. Friday will feature a sunny, cold start, followed by a mix of rain and wet snow across the entire region by evening. Warmer air will make an appearance for the weekend, under mostly sunny skies. The high temperature should reach at least 10C (50F) both days in Montreal. Looking briefly ahead to next week, we have a chance of more rain and snow Monday, along with cooler temperatures. That cooler weather may help to generate a larger storm by the end of next week, with plenty of details to work out at this time.

Montreal sandwiched between weather systems

A very impressive coastal storm explodes on satellite east of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina late Tuesday. The storm will pass well east of Montreal today, impacting Atlantic Canada, Labrador and the Gaspe region of Quebec through Thursday. (NOAA)

A strong late season Nor'Easter is barreling up the coast towards Atlantic Canada today. The powerful ocean storm is producing hurricane force winds in the open waters of the Atlantic along with towering waves. Along the coast, high winds and rain are falling, with snow inland. The heaviest accumulations, as much as 30cm, are falling over northern Maine, eastern New Brunswick and the Gaspe region of Quebec. As the storm moves northeast, full blizzard conditions are expected across coastal Labrador and far western Newfoundland.

As the pressure gradient builds between the departing coastal storm and a cold front to our west, winds will increase up to 70km/h today over southern Quebec and Ontario. (AccuWeather.com)

We remain largely untouched by the storm here in Montreal, with the exception of strong winds developing as the pressure gradient tightens between the strengthening storm and a cold front to our west. Winds in Ontario are already approaching 80km/h in some locations, with a special weather statement now in effect. South of the border, a wind advisory has been posted for northern New York and the American side of the St. Lawrence Valley. The strong winds will spread into southern Quebec early this afternoon, with gusts expected up to 70km/h (43mph). The wind will remain gusty overnight and Thursday, up to 50km/h (31mph). The temperature will warm in advance of the front, up to 8C (48F) in Montreal, before falling quickly late in the day. The overnight low tonight will be a cold -5C (23F).

Accompanying the cold front this afternoon will be some isolated showers, with perhaps even a rumble or two of thunder along the US border. There is also the chance of scattered flurries tonight, but no accumulation is expected in Montreal. Just the sight of snow in April can be a little unsettling for most.

The good news is that warmer air will return this weekend, with temperatures close to 10C (50F) expected Saturday and Sunday.