Spring snowfall for Montreal?

A full solar eclipse, the first since 1932 in Montreal, will take place on Monday, April 8 at 3:27PM. At this time, partly cloudy skies are forecast, but it is more than a week away. Let's hope that forecast holds. You will need to protect your eyes with special eclipse glasses. Totality will last 1 minute 27 seconds in Montreal. Only a partial eclipse is expected in Laval, Ottawa and points north and east. The South Shore and Eastern Townships will have the longest time in total darkness across southern Quebec, approaching 3 minutes at several locations. (NASA Photo)

Northwest winds have made it feel a little cool this Easter Sunday as it did both Friday and Saturday, when gusts reached as high as 60km/h in Montreal. High temperatures have been close to the normal high of 7C (45F), cooling to near the freezing point for overnight lows. Both mornings started off cloudy, but clearing took place, with abundant sunshine returning by the afternoon hours. The aforementioned winds did make it feel considerably cooler than the actual air temperature.

The upcoming week will start off partly sunny, with high pressure drifting slowly northeast of the region. Temperatures will remain near seasonable values, 10C (50F) for a high Monday and Tuesday, with a low near 0C (32F). That is the good news.

POTENTIAL SNOWFALL

The bad news is we may have some spring snow in our future. A very complex weather scenario will develop mid-week and persist into Friday as low pressure in the upper atmosphere develops over the Great Lakes, with a secondary storm at the surface forming along the Atlantic seaboard and moving into coastal New England. There are many variables at play here, including if the two systems merged, the final track of both storms, and how much cold air there will be available here in the St. Lawrence Valley. The temperatures will just be marginally cold enough for snow, mostly during the overnight hours.

At this time we are looking at a rain snow mix across the region, with heavy amounts of wet snow possible across the higher elevations of the Eastern Townships, northern New York and Vermont. Across the lower elevations, including here in Montreal, a slushy few centimetres is quite possible Wednesday night into Thursday morning and again during the overnight period into Friday. There are still many questions to be answered and this forecast is not by any means set. 

In any event, expect the weather later this week to be cooler than normal, quite windy, and with some form of precipitation. Stay tuned!

SOLAR ECLIPSE

The great solar eclipse takes place on Monday, April 8, covering thousands of kilometres from Mexico to Atlantic Canada. The celestial event will be the first total solar eclipse here in Montreal since 1932. Totality will occur at 3:27 PM in Montreal, lasting approximately one and half minutes. There are events planned across the region, visit espacepourlavie.ca/en/planetarium for full information.

Clear weather on April 8 is critical for getting the full eclipse experience. Unfortunately April is often a very cloudy month in Montréal. The good news, at least as I write this post, is that all the computer models are settling in to an 11 to 30 percent chance of cloudy skies at the time of the eclipse. Let's hope that prediction holds, I will take those odds.

I will post much more information on the eclipse weather this week.

Montreal on northern edge of late season winter storm

Spring arrived on Tuesday evening and along with it came the coldest air this March. The high temperature remained below freezing in Montreal on Thursday for the first time this month. Gusty west winds over 60km/h resulted in windchill values in the minus teens. Several snow squalls accompanied the cold air late Wednesday afternoon. (Valley Weather Photo)

Widespread winter storm warnings are in effect along the Canada/US border in New York and Vermont for a potent late season winter storm. However at this time, it appears the heaviest snow will remain south and east of the Montreal region.

A very complex storm system will impact the weather across southern Quebec and New England late Friday into early Sunday. Snow is likely, with Montreal remaining on the northern edge of the storm. Friday will be sunny but cold once again, with high temperatures around -2C (28F). We start the day with one of the coldest mornings of the year so far at -10C (14F) here on Ile Perrot. Thursday's high of -3C (27F) was the coldest of March to date, a strong indication of just how warm it has been. The wind was brutal Thursday, gusting over 60km/h and producing windchill values in the minus teens.

After our sunny, chilly Friday, clouds will increase, as low pressure approaches from the Great Lakes, along with a second storm moving along the eastern seaboard. Snow will spread north and east across eastern Ontario late today and into southern Quebec overnight into Saturday. The heaviest snow will fall from the US border into central Vermont as well as portions of the Eastern Townships. 

At this time, up to 5cm is possible for Montreal, with 10cm along the Seaway and towards the US border. Up to 20cm is possible in Sherbrooke and points south. Amounts increase significantly across New York and Vermont, including Burlington, where 20-30cm is possible. The snow will end Saturday afternoon in Montreal. Winds will remain rather light throughout the storm, with temperatures below freezing for the duration. The low Friday night will be -7C (19F), with a cold high of -4C (26F) expected Saturday.

Milder air and sunshine will be back by Sunday and into the start of the new work week.

Snow welcomes Spring 2024 to Montreal

Spring snow for southern Quebec. A picturesque snowfall on Ile Perrot early Wednesday morning. While the snow stuck to trees and lawns, roads were generally unaffected. (Valley Weather Photo)

Spring arrived at 11:06 PM Tuesday evening, and March is finally behaving, well like March. Slightly colder temperatures this week across southern Quebec have allowed some wet snow to sneak into the picture during the overnight hours. A slushy 2-4cm accumulated on grassy surfaces, trees and cars overnight into Wednesday morning across the Montreal region, bringing the monthly total up to 10cm. 

The sun has broken through the clouds and the snow is melting away as I write this post, but don't let that fool you. A strong cold front is moving across central Ontario currently, expected to move into the Ottawa Valley and southern Quebec later this afternoon into the evening hours. The front will be accompanied by some squally weather, with a mix of snow and rain, eventually becoming all snow. Some of the squalls may produce brief heavy snow and strong winds reducing visibility and making driving hazardous.

Behind the front, much colder, blustery weather will move in, with temperatures falling from daytime highs around 3C (38F), down to -8C (18F) by morning. Thursday will be windy, up to 50km/h, and cold, with high temperatures remaining below freezing for the first time this month! The high is expected to be around -2C (28F), but windchill values will be in the minus teens. It will feel very cold after our warm March. The high Friday is expected to remain below freezing as well at -1C (30F).

Welcome to Spring! A few centimetres of snow accumulated on cold surfaces such as cars and lawns early Wednesday morning. More snow is possible Thursday into Saturday across southern Quebec.

WEEKEND STORM?

Looking ahead to Friday, a significant storm system is expected to develop over the upper midwest and merge with a secondary low moving north along the eastern seaboard. The various computer models have been hinting at the potential for some snow in Montreal and across New England late Friday into Saturday, but nothing is certain at this time. The final storm track and strength will determine the northern extent of the precipitation. The complex storm system will move into Atlantic Canada Sunday, paving the way for high pressure the return of above normal temperatures early next week.

Late season winter storm to impact parts of southern Quebec and Ontario

Some locations in southern Quebec are in for a rather rude reality check Sunday, with heavy wet snow expected for may parts of the province. The very warm weather of late, combined with the loss of snow cover has resulted in many perennial flowers starting to grow, especially here in Montreal.

A messy mix of rain and wet snow is forecast for Montreal through Monday morning, accompanied by gusty winds up to 60km/h. Some locations, especially north of the city, may receive significant amounts of wet snow. Details below.

Low pressure over central Ontario will deliver rain to Montreal Saturday afternoon, before weakening later today. A second area of low pressure is forecast to develop along the middle Atlantic coast and move northeast into southern New England. This storm will push abundant moisture into the region, while drawing marginally colder air southeast into southern Quebec. More rain this evening will change to snow overnight in most parts of southern Quebec. Temperatures will be mild Saturday, lowering close to the freezing point overnight into Sunday morning, and remaining there into Monday morning.

Widespread winter storm and snowfall warnings are currently in effect for a large portion of eastern Ontario, southern Quebec, northern New York and New England. They exclude metro Montreal at this time, but include the Quebec City region. Snowfall amounts will range from a few slushy centimetres in Montreal up to as much as 25cm in Quebec City. In Ontario, a general 5-10cm is expected in Ottawa, possibly approaching 15cm along the Seaway.

This is a very complex forecast, with the difference between rain and snow a very close call. Some locations will get a major storm, while others receive mostly rain. Travel will be difficult where snow is falling, and highly variable across the region. Consider postponing any unnecessary travel on Sunday. The risk for power outages is high, due to the weight of the snow and strong winds.

This story will be updated.

A wet and white weekend ahead for southern Quebec

Spring storms are very common in Montreal, even during mild winters such at the current one. All it takes is one chilly night and low pressure to our south to quickly create a winter wonderland, such as the one above on Ile Perrot, April 12, 2013. Some parts of southern Quebec will have some significant wet snow on Sunday. (Valley Weather Photo)

Special Weather Statement in effect: The seasons will battle it out this weekend over southern Quebec, with a messy mix of rain and snow expected. Some regions north of Montreal and across the higher elevations of the Eastern Townships, could have significant amounts of snow by Monday morning.

Southern Quebec will have a nearly perfect late winter day Friday, the calm before a weekend storm system. Sunshine will prevail, with warm highs approaching 10C (50F).

A significant area of low pressure will approach the region on Saturday, moving across the Great Lakes and lifting a warm front into the St. Lawrence Valley. Ahead of the front, gusty southeast wind will develop, along with steady rain by Saturday afternoon. The rain will be heavy at times, with 20-40mm possible from southern Ontario into southern Quebec.

There will be a break in precipitation early Sunday and the low weakens and transfers energy to a deepening storm along the southern New England coast. That storm will become the main low pressure as it lifts northeast across the Gulf of Maine and into Atlantic Canada.

As the storm deepens, colder air will filter across eastern Ontario and western Quebec, changing the rain to snow from northwest to southeast Sunday evening. Accumulations will be highly variable across the region, with a dusting in the immediate valley to as much as 15cm across the higher elevations. Many factors will determine how much snow falls, but expect highly changeable travel conditions Sunday into Monday morning.

 The snow will be wet and heavy where it falls which could lead to power outages. Winds will be gusty this weekend, up to 50km/h at times. Temperatures will be very mild in Montreal Saturday at 10C (50F), dropping into the 0C to 3C (32-38F) range on Sunday.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

More record-warmth and rain ahead for Montreal

It is hard to believe, but some of my perennials are starting to pop out of the partially frozen ground. Our recent rain and record-warm temperatures have resulted in many anomalies across the region. Only patches of snow remain on the ground, left behind by snow clearing contractors. (Valley Weather Photo)

What an end to winter in the Montreal region so far. While other parts of Canada and North America are still experiencing snow and cold, we are enjoying spring-like warmth. Only patches of snow remain, and there is even a hint of growth in the perennials. After a cool, showery Saturday, most of Sunday was spectacular, with light winds, warm sunshine and high of 9.3C (49F)

After a misty, foggy morning, we are looking at a very warm Monday and Tuesday, with record-breaking temperatures forecast once again. The high both days is expected to be close to 13C (55F). The record high for Monday is 11.1C (52F), set back in 1974. Tuesdays' record is 13.3C (55F), set in 1964.

Montreal is coming off our second warmest winter according to data dating back to 1871. Only the winter of 2001/2002 was warmer, and even that winter had more snow than this year, with 173.5cm measured at Trudeau Airport. This winter we have had only 121cm to date.

Accompanying the warm weather this week will be some mist and fog to start the day Monday, followed by partial sunshine this afternoon and Tuesday. Low pressure arriving midweek will bring slightly cooler weather along with some rain. By Thursday, enough cold air may filter into parts of southern Quebec to generate some wet snow. At this time no significant accumulations are expected at lower eleavtions.

Another stronger system arrives by next weekend, with more rain expected. Looking ahead, we are seeing an opportunity for some snowfall during the third and fourth weeks of the month. There are still many details to work out, and temperatures may be just marginally cold enough for snow so a mix or even rain is always an option here in Montreal. Stay tuned.

A look back over 50 years: The Montreal Blizzard of 1971

MARCH 3-5, 1971: 47cm of snow, 110km/h winds, 17 hours of blizzard conditions in Montreal. 

Click below for the full story, interviews, photos and memories.

Today marks the 53rd Anniversary of the storm of the century in Montreal. A fierce blizzard brought Montreal to a standstill for several days. You can read the full story HERE.

The streets were clogged with deep snow for days. Power was out to tens of thousands across the province. It was a true storm.
Photos from Radio Canada & Montreal Archives.

Welcome to Meteorological Spring

This is what the remaining snow cover looks like in Saint Laurent to start March, in what has been a dismal season for snowfall. We should be nearing 180-200cm during an average winter, but sit at 122.8cm this year. Most of that has melted away in between systems. To date, Montreal has had only one major snowstorm, occurring on December 3, and two smaller ones in January.

March 1st is the start of meteorological spring, the celestial version will follow in a couple of weeks. Is winter over? Good question. Normally in Montreal the answer is no, some of the biggest storms historically in this city have occurred on the edges of the sinter season, including March and April. This year, it is going to be difficult ti generate any snowfall with the warm weather expected over the next few weeks.

With the exception of the last 24 hours, February was warm. The average high for the month was actually above freezing at 0.9C (33F), unheard of. Normally we should be at around -3.2C (26.2F). For the month, 16 of the 29 days had high temperatures above freezing.

In terms of snowfall, Montreal managed a paltry 16.6cm in February, scattered throughout the month. The normal is 41.2cm for the month. The seasonal total remains at 122.8cm, also well-below normal.

Looking ahead, we see more record warmth on the horizon. The weekend will be partly cloudy and very mild, with perhaps a few showers Saturday. Dry weather return for Monday through Tuesday, with daytime highs approaching record levels again. Montreal will see daytime highs between 10C (50F) and 16C (60F) to start the week. No storms are on the horizon.