Spectacular fall weather for Montreal - no rain in sight

A rocky beach along the shoreline of Lac St. Louis in Lachine. Water levels across the region remain at near-record low levels. The area will be getting an increase in water on October 18, with a planned increase in flow from the Moses-Saunders Power Dam in Cornwall, Ontario. The dam is operated by International Joint Commission and the Saint Lawrence Seaway. The flow will be increased over a 36 hour period, raising Lac St. Louis by as much as 15cm (6 inches).  (Valley Weather Photo)

September weather does not get any better than this in southern Quebec. However is does come at a cost, as drought conditions continue to worsen across the region. Starting with the upcoming forecast, we can expect nothing but sunshine through next Sunday. A dry cold front on Tuesday will result in gusty winds, up to 40km/h and a drop in temperatures, but no precipitation. 

The weekend was warm and dry in Montreal, with a well-above normal high of 24.9C (77F) on Sunday. Monday will be warm as well, reaching the middle 20s for highs. Overnight lows will be seasonably cool, around 10C (50F). The balance of the week will be slightly cooler, around 19C (66F) for highs and morning lows in the single digits. There will be a risk of frost on Wednesday and Thursday mornings.

By late week, strong high pressure will shift to our southeast, deflecting any storms away from out region. Temperatures will be on the rise again, with near-record warmth expected for the first weekend in October. There is no rain in sight. Montreal remains at 33mm for September, well below normal, and just above the record of 27mm set in 1961.

Saint Lawrence River International Joint Commission to raise water levels for Lac St Louis

The International Joint Commission will be increasing the flow from the Moses-Saunders Power Dam near Cornwall, Ontario on October 18. This is in response to the near-record low water levels on Lac St. Louis in the Montréal region. The last time this was required was back in the fall of 2012. Water levels are dangerously low in our region, with some areas to low for watercraft navigation. 

Water levels currently sit at around 67.88 feet on Lac St. Louis. The increase in flow on October 18, will bring the level of the lake up to approximately 68.24 feet. The increase in flow will only be for a 36 hour-period to help facilitate the seasonal removal of watercraft in our region. Many parts of southwestern Quebec and eastern Ontario remain in moderate to severe drought conditions.