Strong thunderstorms cut power to thousands of Quebec homes - injure one

Lightning strikes the ground in Saint Laurent as strong afternoon thunderstorms moved across the Montreal region. An even stronger cell along a cold front produced significant damage and power outages during the evening hours. Wednesday will be the calm after the storm, with a blustery, chilly high of 12C expected. (Valley Weather Photo)

As forecast, a series of strong thunderstorms swept across southern Quebec Tuesday afternoon and evening, producing widespread damage and power outages. It was the second set of storms for the day that occurred between 7:30pm and 9pm that did the most damage. Trees and power lines were knocked down from the central portion of the Island of Montreal north into Laval and southeast including some south shore communities. The West Island and off-island communities to the west were largely spared. 

At the height of the storm, Hydro-Quebec reported nearly 150,000 customers without power. That number is down to 88,000 as of 8am Wednesday morning. This includes nearly 12,000 clients on the island of Montreal. Hydro has over 500 teams repairing the outages, but is indicating that it could take some time to restore power, as there are over 700 induvial breaks in the grid.

The storms delivered wind gusts of 87km/h at Trudeau Airport, but well over 100km/h in other parts of the region, including Laval. Several trees fell on homes and cars, and in one case critically injured a teenager in Ahuntsic, when he became pinned under a fallen tree on Grand-Allee Boulevard.

Highway 19 in Laval at the junction of Highway 440 remains closed do to fallen power lines across the road surface.

Significant damage and minor injuries were reported at the Maisonneuve Rosemont Hospital after several windows were shattered by the wind.

The first severe weather of the season also produced damage and power outages in many locations across central and eastern Ontario into upstate New York.

Here on Ile Perrot, the storms missed my location, producing only gusty winds, lightning and around 1mm of rainfall. The weather was very warm and humid on Tuesday, reaching a high of 24.3C (76F) at Trudeau Airport, with 27.1C (80F) here on Ile Perrot. We have however gone form air conditioning to heat in Montreal over the last 12 hours or so, dropping from a high of 18C (65F) at midnight down to 1C (34F) early Wednesday morning. The cold air will remain for 24 hours, with a blustery, chilly high of 12C (54F) Wednesday in Montreal. 

Strong thunderstorms Tuesday evening knocked down trees and power lines, several onto homes and cars, including this one in Laval (Photo via Laval Neighbourhood Watch/Facebook)

Frost Advisory

A frost advisory is in effect through Thursday morning for most of southern Quebec, with morning lows close to the freezing point expected. Clouds will increase Thursday, with another round of showers and thunderstorms forecast by Friday, along with moderating temperatures. 

Moderate risk of strong thunderstorms Tuesday for parts of our region

ECCC map showing the risk level for thunderstorms today in southern and western Québec. (Double click for larger image. Courtesy ECCC)

Environment Canada has a portion of our region under a moderate risk for strong to severe thunderstorms on Tuesday. A warm front has lifted north of Montreal early Tuesday morning, with gusty southwest winds developing, brining in warm and humid air from the central portion of the US. High temperatures will push into the middle and in some cases upper 20s today. Humidex values will rise to near 30C for many. The forecast high for Montreal is 24C (76F), the warmest of the year so far.

This afternoon, a strong cold front will move southeast across Ontario and into Quebec this evening. A wide area of southern Ontario from Windsor to the Nation's Capital is under a moderate risk for severe thunderstorms, including large hail, strong winds and isolated tornadoes.

That risk area extends into western Quebec and the Outaouais. Here in southwestern Quebec we can expect thunderstorms this afternoon. The risk for severe storms here is minor, with the main threat being gusty winds, dangerous lightning and small hail.

The front should clear the region late this evening followed by gusty northwest winds up to 50km/h and rapidly falling temperatures down to 1C (34F).

Wednesday will partly sunny, windy and much colder, with a high of only 12C (52F).

Vote Today! The weather will be perfect in Quebec

Unlike many previous election days, the weather will be perfect on Monday to cast your vote in the 2025 Federal Election. Expect a sunny, warm day in Montreal, with a high close to 20C. (Elections Canada Photo)

Ideal weather in Montreal today to cast your vote in the Federal election.

Strong to severe thunderstorms possible Tuesday afternoon.

Unsettled weather week ahead.

You certainly can't blame the weather for not getting out to vote today, Monday, April 28, Election Day in Canada. We have had some miserable weather during voting days in the past, but such will not be the case today. Strong high pressure has moved into southern Quebec, producing a wide area of sunshine and warm temperatures. The ideal weather will stretch across much of eastern, southern and central Ontario to the west and east into portions of Atlantic Canada. 

In Montreal, look for sunshine, breezy conditions at times, and a warm high of 20C (68F).

A heavy wet snow fell for a few hours on Sunday morning in parts of southern Quebec, with over 10cm reported in Sherbrooke. By afternoon, the warm April sun had sent temperature quickly back into the teens at most locations. Sherbrooke remained chilly, with the fresh snow down, only reaching 5.5C (42F) for a high temperature. (MétéoMédia Image)

Over the weekend, strong low pressure moved across southern Quebec, producing a cold rain Saturday, and in some cases wet snow on Sunday morning. Just enough cold air filtered in behind the storm system to produce several centimetres of wet snow at higher elevations across the lower Laurentians and into the Eastern Townships. Sherbrooke reported and incredible 12cm of snow Sunday morning, falling in just a few hours.

Oddly, even a trace of snow fell at Trudeau Airport, with a Sunday morning low of 2C (36F). But, by the afternoon, the warm April sun had pushed temperature quickly up to 18.5C (66F) for a high in Montreal. Trudeau Airport measured 19.2mm of rain over the weekend, well under the rainfall warning threshold.

We have a very active weather week ahead for eastern Canada. A strong frontal boundary will produce showers and gusty thunderstorms on Tuesday afternoon. Strong southwest winds of up to 60km/h, will drive temperatures into the low and middle 20s on Tuesday. A strong cold front will arrive in the afternoon across Ontario and early evening here in Montreal. There is a chance for some severe thunderstorms for our region, with the main threat being strong winds. An isolated tornado over parts of eastern and central Ontario cannot be ruled out. Temperatures will fall significantly behind the front down into the low single digits by Wednesday morning.

More rain and thunderstorms are possible by late Thursday into next weekend.

Spring slowly arriving across southern Quebec

For the second year in a row, snow fell on the day I was removing my winter tires. Perhaps this was the last snow of the season last Wednesday, April 16, with 1cm reported at Trudeau Airport. Accumulations ranged from 1-3cm across most locations, confined mostly to grassy and cool surfaces. To date 7cm has fallen this April at Trudeau, with 58.2mm of rain. My feeling is that we are now done with the snow until next fall. (Valley Weather)  

The warm weather has been slow to arrive across Southern Quebec this Spring. The grass is slowly showing signs of growth and the buds are appearing on the trees finally. It has been the same across most of the country this April. On this Easter Monday, Montreal dropped below freezing, with scattered frost reported. Snow is falling across portions of northern Ontario around Thunder Bay and Lake Superior, as well as strong storm is expected to drop 10 to 20cm on parts of northwestern Newfoundland.

Here in Montreal, this morning and Sunday's chill were in stark contrast to the warm and dare I say humid conditions on Saturday. Many locations across the region had there warmest day of the year Saturday, with the official high reaching 20.5C (69F) at Trudeau Airport. Some South Shore locations, including Saint Anicet, surpassed the 21C (70F) mark. A windy cold front produced showers and thunderstorms, resulting in Sunday temperatures being as much as 15 degrees colder.

Sunshine will prevail Monday for Montreal, but another frontal boundary associated with low pressure over the Great Lakes, will lift across the St. Lawrence Valley this evening and into the overnight hours. Expect clouds to thicken quickly late Monday, followed by a few hours of rain. The rain will taper to showers early Tuesday morning, followed by clearing. Sunshine returns through Friday morning.

Temperatures will remain close to the long-term average this week, with highs in the middle teens (55F) and morning lows between 3C and 5C (39 to 41F). The work week will be mainly dry after Tuesday, with the next chance for rain and warmer weather arriving by next weekend.

Perfect Monday - but unsettled weather week ahead

High clouds from a late-season Atlantic coastal storm stream northward on Friday evening, making for a spectacular April sunset in the St. Lawrence Valley. (Valley Weather Photo)

April has always been a month of transition and extremes in southern Quebec, as the seasons battle. Ultimately spring will win  out, but it may take a couple of more weeks for that to happen this year.

High pressure will dominate the weather on Monday across southern Québec, with abundant sunshine and warm temperatures into the middle and upper teens. Enjoy today, as the balance of the week looks rather unsettled and cool.

Over the weekend, a late season coastal storm moved along the Atlantic coast, bringing snow to portions of southern and central New England. Montreal was on the extreme northern edge of the system, with clouds on Saturday, and light rain as far north as the south shore. The city remained dry. Sunday was near-perfect, with sunshine an a warm high of 15C (59F). 

April has been a rather cloudy, cool and breezy month to date. Winds have gusted over 30km/h each day, often chilly from the northeast. We have managed 484mm of rain and 6cm of snow as of Sunday. I am hopeful the snow is done for the season, but we may see a few flurries midweek.

Clouds will increase Monday night as a frontal boundary lifts into the St. Lawrence Valley. Showers are likely, and will continue into Tuesday. Temperatures will be mild for the next 24 hours. Strengthening  low pressure will lift northeast towards Quebec City by Wednesday, dragging a cold front across the region.

Look for much colder weather Wednesday and Thursday, with highs only in the single digits and lows near freezing. The front will also produce a mix of rain and snow, with any snow accumulation confined to the highest elevations, especially across the eastern Townships and Green Mountains of Vermont. In Montreal, only a few flurries or wet snow showers are possible.

By Good Friday, skies should clear for the day, along with seasonable temperatures. The good weather will not last as another system is forecast to bring rain for to begin the Easter long weekend.

Late season storm results in dozens of accidents in Montreal

Leftover ice and snow from Tuesday's storm along with cold morning lows resulted in many more accidents on Wednesday morning, including this one in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue. (Valley Weather)

I was one of many Montreal motorists surprised by the heavy snow and rapidly dropping temperatures that occurred during the Tuesday evening commute. A stubborn area of low pressure slowly moved along the international border, dragging down unseasonably cold air behind it, and just enough moisture for some decent afternoon snow.

The storm came in two waves. The snow early in the morning was along a cold front. That precipitation largely fell north of Montreal, with just a dusting here in the city. Meanwhile, the bulk of the moisture with the area of low pressure was across the Ottawa Valley. In Ottawa, just under 15cm of snow fell on Tuesday, accompanied by unseasonably cold temperatures and strong winds. 

As the system pulled east, it dragged any leftover moisture across the Montreal region, just in time for the afternoon commute. The snow fell heavy at times, and as temperatures dropped quickly with the loss of daytime heating, ice began to form on elevated surfaces. Gusty winds reduced visibilities in blowing snow.

Rapidly falling temperatures along with bursts of heavy snow, created ideal conditions for ice to form on elevated surfaces during the Tuesday evening commute in Montreal. The result was dozens of accidents and major delays for motorists returning home.

The result was a rash of serious accidents, including one involving at least 20 vehicles that closed the southbound lanes of Highway 13 along and just south of the bridge connecting Laval. Another rash of accidents closed both inbound and outbound lanes of the Mercier Bridge. The closure stranded motorists for hours as First Responders cleaned up the mess. Ontario Provincial Police reported over 40 collisions across their portion of eastern Ontario, including Ottawa and Cornwall.

There were dozens of other accidents reported across the region, many involving single vehicles hitting the ditch. Snowfall accumulations were highly variable, often depending on elevation. The Montreal area had 5-10cm, with 15-30cm falling from Laval north into the Laurentians.

The 6cm of snow that officially fell at Trudeau Airport Tuesday, was enough to push Montreal over the 200cm mark for the season, to 204.9cm (80.7 inches)

Overnight temperatures were very cold, dropping to -8C here on Ile Perrot, into the minus teens north and west of the city. Another round of accidents occurred on very ice roads during the morning commute. The temperature has slowly warmed above freezing Wednesday afternoon, allowing for most of the ice and snow to melt off area roads.

That may have been winters parting shot, as much milder air in now forecast beginning Thursday and persisting to the end of April. May snow, while not impossible, is very rare in Montreal!

Over 20 vehicles were involved in a serious accident on Highway 13 southbound between Laval and Montreal on Tuesday evening. The highway remained closed for several hours while First Responders cleared the scene.
Photo: Association des Pompiers de Laval

Winter's parting shot?

Grey skies and a light dusting of snow are greeting Montreal early Tuesday morning, as low pressure moves along the US border. What could be the last snow of the season today, will accumulate a few centimetres in the city, up to as much as 15cm north and west of Montreal and across parts of the Eastern Townships. (Valley Weather Photo)

Low pressure moving along the International border early Tuesday morning, is spreading a mix of wintry precipitation across southern Quebec. Roads in many cases are slick, so expect slow travel today. Strong west winds behind a cold front early this morning, are dropping temperatures and changing any mixed precipitation to snow, which will persist in various intensities throughout the day.

Light snow is falling Tuesday morning across a wide swath of our area from eastern Ontario into western Quebec and northern New England. Depending on where you are located in the region, you have a dusting up to several centimetres of fresh snow on the ground. The highest elevations of the Eastern Townships and northern Vermont could see up to 25cm of snow by Wednesday morning.

In Montreal, it took most of the overnight hours for temperatures to fall to the freezing point, and snow to begin. Most of the accumulating snow has fallen north and west of Montreal, including Ottawa. Here in Montreal, there is just a dusting on grassy surfaces as well as your car. However snowfall warnings have been issued for Ottawa and parts of eastern Ontario, with 10-15cm expected. Keep this in mind if your travels today take you along Highways 401, 416 or 417.

Drive carefully today, as temperatures are falling and will remain below freezing for the entire day. Any further precipitation will be in the form of snow, with an additional 5cm possible for most locations. Winds will be gusty, out of the northwest 40-60km/h. Our high will actually drop to -4C (25F), and fall further to a vey chilly April low of -8C (18F). On Wednesday, we can expect partly cloudy skies, with a blustery high of 1C (34F). The normal high for mid-April in Montreal should be close to 10C (50F).

Mild and wet weather returns for the weekend, as low pressure moves along the eastern seaboard.

Rainy and chilly weekend forecast for southern Quebec

Quebec Public Security is currently monitoring the flow of several rivers in the Montreal region. Water levels are slowly on the rise in response to a wet start to April, combined with warm temperatures, melting snow and ice. More rain is forecast this weekend. The photo above was taken along the shores of Lake of Two Mountains during the major spring flood of 2019. (West Island Flood Volunteers Photo)

The sun finally broke out on Friday, albeit slightly cooler than Thursday, when south winds pushed temperatures into the upper teens. After a chilly morning low at the freezing point, along with wet snow, I managed a high of 21C (70F) on Ile Perrot Thursday afternoon. Under bright sunshine Friday, we should make it to 10C (50F).

Mixed precipitation late Wednesday, eventually gave way to scattered thunderstorms along with some heavy rain into the morning hours on Thursday. Trudeau Airport reported 24 hour rain totals of 25.4mm, I measured 32.4mm on Ile Perrot. 

All that rain, combined with any remaining snow and ice that is melting, has caused area rivers to be on the rise. Quebec Public Security is currently watching 8 rivers and lakes in the province, most of those in the southwestern corner, including Lake of Two Mountains at Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue and the Rivière des Mille Îles at Terrebonne and Deux-Montagnes. Levels are also rising along the Ottawa River from Ottawa to Montreal.

All rivers will be watched closely this week as another wet and windy area of low pressure moves to the south of Montreal. This system will bring steady rain on Saturday, tapering to showers on Sunday. Between 15-25mm of additional rainfall is possible through Sunday.  The weather will be raw and windy this weekend, with temperatures just above the freezing point for many locations. There is a chance of some mixed wet snow or freezing rain at the onset on Saturday, especially for locations north of Montréal and in the Ottawa Valley.

Gusty winds of 30-60km/h are likely for the St. Lawrence Valley.

Another storm will take aim at southern Quebec on Tuesday, with a mix of rain and snow expected. Temperatures will be quite cold to start the work week. 

More rain and freezing rain forecast for southern Quebec

More rounds of freezing rain and rain are forecast for the hard-hit portions of central Ontario. Many residents remain without power, and schools have been closed since Monday. (Hydro One Photo)

A warm front will lift into the St. Lawrence Valley late Wednesday, as low pressure moves into the central Great Lakes. That front will become the focus for mixed precipitation across southern Quebec, followed by a windy and wet cold front on Thursday.

Widespread weather warnings are in effect across portions of Ontario and Quebec and adjacent New York as another storm system takes aim at our region. The system arrives late Wednesday in Montreal, with a burst of snow, followed by a messy mix of freezing rain and rain through midnight. Precipitation will switch over to rain overnight in the immediate St. Lawrence Valley as warm air surges northward. Before the changeover, some regions may receive up to 5cm of wet snow, along with 2 to 4mm of freezing rain.

On Thursday, expect rain, heavy at times, accompanied by thunder, and gusty southwest winds up to 60km/h. Temperatures were cold on Wednesday morning, dropping down to -8C (18F) here on Ile Perrot. The high Wednesday will ne near the freezing point. Temperatures will continue to warm overnight, to a high of 16C (60F) in Montreal on Thursday.

Further north and east, the cold air will linger longer, and those regions are under freezing rain warnings, as is the Ottawa Valley and large portions of eastern Ontario.

In Ontario, many regions that were hit hard by the worst ice storm since 1998, are unfortunately looking at more freezing rain and rain tonight. Strong winds will accompany the precipitation, only exasperating the tree and power line damage. Nearly 215,000 customers remain without power in central Ontario after the severe weekend ice storm dumped over 25mm of freezing rain on the region. There are several municipalities under a state of emergency and schools in the region remain closed.

Briefly looking ahead, we have more unsettled weather expected this weekend, with a mix of rain and snow forecast, Details to follow.