Another stormy day across southern Quebec

Saturday was a messy day on roads across southern Quebec and Ontario due to a mix of freezing rain and wets snow. Sunday will be equally difficult, with numerous snow squalls and strong winds affecting the entire St. Lawrence Valley.

Special Weather Statement for Montreal. Weather Advisory along the St. Lawrence Valley into Ontario.

There is a risk of significant snow squalls on Sunday, with areas of blowing and drifting snow.

Our latest winter storm delivered quite a punch to many parts of our region on Saturday, with stormy conditions persisting into Sunday. Overnight, winds have been gusting over 70km/h in the Montreal region, along with frequent snow showers. Those conditions will prevail most of Sunday, with frequent rounds of heavier snow and lowered visibility in blowing snow.  High temperatures will be reached early in the day around -3C (27F), remaining steady or dropping through the afternoon hours.

Strong low pressure will lift into central Quebec Sunday, while a potent arctic cold front slips across the Great Lakes and into the St. Lawrence Valley. Strong southwest winds of up to 70km/h will drive snow squalls off Lake Ontario and down the St. Lawrence Valley as far as Montreal. A snow squall watch has been posted along Highway 401 from Cornwall to Kingston. If you have travel plans in that direction, expect highly changeable driving conditions, with near-zero visibility at times in heavy snow and blowing snow.

Accumulations today will be around 5cm for Montreal, but as much as 10cm southwest of the city along Highway 20 towards the Ontario border and into Cornwall. Winds should lower this evening but remain gusty up to 50km/h on Monday. The week ahead will be much colder than it has been, remaining well-below freezing, with numerous flurries.

The weekend storm dumped another 16.8cm of snow at Trudeau Airport, I measured less here on Ile Perrot, around 10cm due to a messy mix of sleet, freezing rain and at times just plain rain. The storm caused numerous accidents across the region, along with a handful of power outages. Hydro-Quebec is still reporting 8200 customers without power Sunday morning.

The same storm that brought snow to Montreal, pounded the Atlantic Coast with strong winds and coastal flooding. For the second time this week, major flooding and wind damage occurred along the New Hampshire Seacoast, southeast of Montreal. (Photo Hampton Police)

This storm was far-reaching, with blizzard conditions on the west side of the track, and major coastal flooding and wind damage on the east side. Some notable numbers include wind gusts to 87km/h at Sherbrooke, and 81km/h at Quebec City. Rawdon, north of Montreal, received 40cm of snow. Along the east coast, many coastal communities from Maine to Long Island reported their highest tides on record. Coastal infrastructure, beaches and homes reported major damage and flooding, some for the second time this week.

Finally, significant lake effect snow has been impacting parts of southern Ontario and western New York. Powerful winds and heavy snow has made travel nearly impossible, and forced the cancelation of the NFL playoff game Sunday between the Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers in Orchard Park, New York. That game has been rescheduled to Monday afternoon. Up to 100cm (40 inches) of snow is possible in the most persistent bands.