Warmest October day on record for Montreal

It certainly looked like Autumn on Sunday, but it did not feel like it at all. Temperatures soared into the upper 20s for many locations, with several all-time October record highs falling, including in Montreal and Burlington, Vermont. Dozens of new records were established for the date. Monday will be another warm and dry day, with extreme wildfire conditions forecast. Avoid all outdoor burning, including campfires. (Valley Weather Photo)

The warm and dry weather continues across southern Quebec and Ontario Monday after several all-time October records were established on Sunday. Montreal's Trudeau Airport reached 29.9C (85F), a new record for the date and month, surpassing the daily high of 28.5C (83F) set in 2023, and the all-time monthly high of 29.3C (84F) set on October 1st, 2023. The normal high for October 5, is 14C (56F).

Strong high pressure has been in control of the weather across southern Quebec since late September, with no rainfall at all so far in October. This follows a near-record dry month for September, with only 33mm falling in Montreal. The danger for wildfires remains extreme across southern Quebec, with the ban for outdoor fires now extending to all parts of the region including metro Montreal according to SOPFEU.

The fire risk will only increase Monday, with another record warm day forecast, with a high of 28C (83F) for Montreal. The previous record for the date is 26C (79F) set in 2005. In addition to the hot weather, we can expect gusty southwest winds to increase to 20 to 40km/h, along with very low relative humidity levels in the afternoon. Any potential wildfires would spread quickly in these conditions. It is critical that you avoid all outdoor burning today and Tuesday, including campfires.

Despite the vibrant foliage and Halloween decorations, Sunday felt more like August in Montreal and not October, with blazing sunshine and record high temperatures observed.

The dry weather this fall has increased the amount of fires burning in Quebec, with 28 reported as of Monday morning. This includes one that started around 4:30AM Monday morning in Domaine des Pins near Sainte-Justine-de-Newton in the Monteregie, close to the Ontario border. Five departments are currently fighting that blaze, but it remains out of control. 

There is some good news on the horizon, with a strong cold front arriving Tuesday afternoon, along with at least 10 to 15mm of much needed rainfall. The showers will taper off overnight into Wednesday morning, followed by gusty northwest winds and a sharp drop in temperatures. Highs will drop from the upper 20s Tuesday to the lower teens for Wednesday and Thursday. Overnight lows will approach the freezing point for many locations by Thursday morning, with the risk of frost.

The balance of the week will feature seasonable highs near 16C (61F), with sunny skies and dry conditions returning.