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).