30th Anniversary of March 1993 Superstorm

The cover of the Montreal Gazette on March 14, 1993 said it all. This was the paper I could not get distributed because of the storm. (Valley Weather/The Montreal Gazette))

March 13, 2023 marks the 30th anniversary of the great east coast Superstorm. The following is the blog post I wrote on the storms 20th anniversary in 2013.

I have video of the storm recorded from my home in Verdun, and one of these days I will find it....SB

The March 1993 "Superstorm" was one of the biggest storms to affect eastern North America since weather keeping began. The storm stretched thousands of miles from Quebec down to Cuba. It was responsible for hundreds of deaths, damage in the hundreds of millions and delays and closures that lasted for days. The storm struck over a three day period, March 13-15, 1993.

The storm was incredible on satellite images, stretching across all of eastern North America.(NOAA)

It was a textbook Nor'Easter that unleashed powerful winds and heavy precipitation across its entire path. Heavy snow and record cold occurred from the deep southern US into Montreal and points north and east. Here in the St. Lawrence Valley, the snow started on Saturday, March 13 at around 3pm and became very intense during the evening and overnight hours when visibility dropped to zero for several hours. Winds gusted to well over 80km/h and about 40cm of snow accumulated in Montreal in just 12 hours. The pressure dropped to an impressive low at Trudeau Airport, 973mb. Across eastern Ontario and western New York up to 60cm fell. The storm closed all the bridges in Montreal as well as several highways during the height of the storm, rivalling the blizzard of 1971. Highways up and down the east coast were closed, including several major interstates. Most airports were closed as well, and it would be days before air travel returned to normal.

The snow was deep from Atlantic Canada to Georgia, with over 40cm in southern Quebec and up to 60cm in New York State and Ontario. (NOAA)

For me personally, it was the first time in my 20 or so years working for the Montreal Gazette that we could not get the trucks down to the loading docks to distribute the newspaper. I had a very rare night off as I tracked the storm. Luckily it was a Sunday, so many were at home anyway, had this storm occurred on a weekday, the impacts in Montreal would have been tremendous. Record cold surged into Quebec after the storm, with Montreal dropping to an all-time March record low of -23.9C on the morning of the 15th. The storm was part of a snowy March and April, with 69.2cm of snow in March and 41.6cm in April for Montreal, delaying the onset of Spring 1993 well into early May.

First widespread snow of the season forecast for Montreal

Strengthening low pressure will move along the St. Lawrence Valley late Sunday and Monday bringing Montreal the first widespread snowfall of the season. Up to 10cm may fall in Montreal, with more than 15cm north and east of the city. The snow will change to rain from Montreal south on Monday.

Special Weather Statement for Montreal for 5-10cm of snow Sunday evening.

We are in the process of cooling down early Saturday morning after another very warm high of 15C (59F) in Montreal on Friday. Our unusual November trudges along, a month that has featured an all time record high of 22.4C (73F), as well as snowfall and temperatures as cold as -7C (19F). 

On Saturday, we can expect a rather cloudy day, with slowly falling temperatures towards the freezing point by late this afternoon. Overnight lows in Montreal tonight will be cold, down to -6C in the city. On Sunday, our attention will shift to developing low pressure over the Ohio Valley. This storm is forecast to strengthen as it moves along or just south of the St. Lawrence Valley on Monday. My current thinking is snow will develop over southwestern Quebec after 4pm on Sunday afternoon. The snow will likely persist into the overnight hours before mixing with rain early Monday morning. Before the mixing, we could be looking at 5 to10cm of snowfall for Montreal, less across the South Shore and perhaps as much as 15 cm over Laval and the North Shore. There is also a chance of some freezing rain during the transition. If that occurs, it would be in the pre-dawn hours Monday morning. Expect snow covered and slippery roads for the Monday morning commute.

Gusty winds of up to 60km/h will accompany the precipitation, especially in the St. Lawrence Valley. The winds will be out of the northeast to begin with, which will help keep temperatures below freezing in Montreal. The high on Sunday will reach 0C (32F) late in the day, before rising overnight into Monday, well above freezing. Just how warm we reach on Monday, will be determined by the exact track of the storm. The current forecast high is 8C (47F), but I really believe that is optimistic. 

Mainly snow is forecast in the Laurentians and Quebec City. Weather warnings may be required for those regions. Similar snowy conditions are forecast for Ottawa and the 401 corridor towards Kingston. Snowfall totals will be 10-15cm along the Ottawa Valley, dropping to less than 5cm as you approach Lake Ontario.

Conditions will improve Monday evening, but it will turn quite cold behind the system, with lows dropping to -4C (25F). Another system will arrive late Wednesday, with perhaps more snow and rain.

Another surge of hot - humid air for Montreal this weekend

Very hot and humid weather will blanket the entire eastern seaboard this weekend, including Montreal. (AccuWeather Image)

We are expecting another surge of heat and humidity across southern Quebec this weekend, it what is quickly becoming a torrid summer. Early Friday morning, a warm front is lifting across the St. Lawrence Valley, accompanied by clouds and showers. There is even a rumble or two of thunder here on Ile Perrot. Even if I could not hear it myself, I know because my furry barometer is under my desk. The showers and storms will persist through the mid-morning before tapering off.

Total precipitation won't amount to much, perhaps 10mm, but we need the rain. Only 21mm has fallen at Trudeau Airport in July, well below normal for the third consecutive month.We have a general watering ban in place here on Ile Perrot, but that does not stop some neighbours on my street from running their sprinkler system all night, despite the rain. But I digress. There may be restrictions as well in other municipalities, so check with your city or town.

As the front clears southern Quebec by Friday afternoon, it will set the stage for a very hot, tropical weekend. We will likely reach 30C (86F) Friday, as the skies clear. On Saturday, expect hazy sunshine, elevated humidity levels, and highs approaching 32C (90F). The overnight period into Sunday will be hot, with temperatures only settling into the 23 to 25C (73-77F) range. Sunday will be hot and oppressively humid, with daytime highs into the middle 30s, perhaps reaching our third 36C (97F) temperature this summer here in Montreal. Humidex values will rise into the 40s. 

Some relief arrives Sunday night, as a cold front moves across the region. Strong thunderstorms are expected into early Monday morning. Slightly cooler air returns to start next week. Many readers will be on vacation next week, so if you are enjoy and be safe. Keep an eye to the sky if outside and remember when the thunder roars, go indoors.

Record-breaking heat expected in Montreal to end the week

A tropical airmass over Montreal is expected to prevail into the weekend, with hot and humid weather forecast. A heat warning is in effect for the city.

Strong thunderstorms are expected this afternoon in Montreal as a very hot and humid tropical air mass remains in place across eastern Ontario and southern Quebec. Many locations in Ontario and Quebec, including Toronto and Ottawa, have been above 30C for daily highs since July began. Montreal has exceeded 30C each day except once when we hit 29C.

The heat is expected to intensify as we end the week, with all-time July monthly records expected to be challenged on Friday. On Wednesday, a few pre-dawn thunderstorms rumbled around the Montreal region, before skies cleared somewhat and the heat and humidity built. Tropical humidity levels are present in Montreal Wednesday afternoon, and more thunderstorms are likely over the next few hours. Some of the storms may be rather strong, with heavy rain and gusty winds the main threat. High temperatures will reach into the low 30s once again.

Thursday and Friday will feature very warm, humid air, with hazy skies and temperatures into the middle 30s. The high on Friday is forecast to be 36C (97F), which would be the warmest July temperature on record for Montreal, surpassing the previous high of  35.6C (96F) set on July 17th, 1953.

The warmest temperature ever in the city was set on Friday, August 1, 1975, in the middle of a 5 day heatwave, at 37.6C (99.7F). We have an outside shot at the all-time record. I remember the 75 heatwave well, my dad finally gave in to the kids and mom, and we purchased our first pool. 

Relief will arrive in the form of showers and thunderstorms by Saturday. A tropical system is expected to develop along the eastern seaboard and move northeast towards New England. The system may push enough moisture northward for some decent rain over the weekend. If the storm develops it will be named Fay, the sixth system of the young hurricane season. Already, this is the earliest in any season on record that the Atlantic basin has reach the "E" named storm.

The heatwave is extensive, reaching from the middle portion of the US into the Great Lakes and northeast. Heat warnings and advisories are widespread, including a large portion of eastern Canada form central Ontario into Quebec.

From twitter, a spectacular shot of a wide tornado on the ground near Glenbain, Saskatchewan last Saturday. The storm was one of at least three tornadoes reported in the province. Damage occurred, but thankfully no injuries were reported.

Saskatchewan Tornado

One final note, on Saturday afternoon, strong thunderstorms produced several tornadoes in southern Saskatchewan, very close to where I lived from 1997 to 2000. The strongest tornado occurred south of Gravelbourg and east of Glenbain, damaging a farm and some silos as well as several vehicles. Two other tornadoes associated with the same supercell thunderstorm were reported near Kincaid and Assiniboia. Large hail also accompanied the storm. Environment Canada is still investigating the strength of the storms. Thankfully no injuries were reported.

From record warmth to the biggest snowstorm of the season for Montreal

Every now and then Mother Nature puts on a show to remind us who is in charge. The car above lies buried under the overnight snow on L'Ile Perrot. It has been a wild 24 hours, from record heat to the biggest snowstorm of the season here in southern Quebec. (ValleyWeather Photo)

Winter Storm Warning remains in effect for southern Quebec.

The biggest snowstorm of the year is ongoing in southern Quebec this morning, just 24 hours after record warmth. Police are advising against travel on all area highways as heavy snow continues to fall in Montreal. As of 9am, 30cm is on the ground here on L'Ile Perrot, and the snow is still falling. Zero visibility is being observed in many locations. There have been hundreds of accidents reported across eastern Ontario and western Quebec. The biggest wreck occurred near Prescott, Ontario last evening, when several trucks collided spilling chemicals, and shutting down both directions of Highway 401 overnight. The road remains closed this morning, and the OPP is advising you stay home.

The snow started around 8pm Friday evening in Montreal, after what was a remarkably warm day. The temperature reached plus 9.8C (50F) in Montreal, smashing the old record of 5.3C set in 1986. In addition to the warmth, heavy rain created isolated flooding in many locations. Montreal had its wettest January 12 on record as well, with 17mm falling. A powerful arctic front dropped the temperature below freezing within a couple of hours last evening. The current temperature is -13C (9F). The snow is being caused by low pressure riding along the aforementioned front. The heaviest snow is falling along an axis lined up with the St Lawrence Valley and points immediately south of it to the US border. By the time the snow ends early this afternoon, 30 to 40cm will have fallen. Frigid temperatures will arrive behind the snow, with an overnight low of -24C (-11F) by Sunday morning.

Sunshine returns to Montreal

June has had a dismal start in Montreal with yesterday being downright miserable. We managed to squeeze out a 14C (57F) high very late in the afternoon as some breaks of sun appeared. Most of the day had a heavy grey overcast with drizzle and a gusty northeast wind making it feel like October. It was cold overnight with scattered frost north of Montreal and a low of 4C (39F) in the city. High pressure will begin to make it feel a little more June like today as sunshine prevails and temperatures respond, warming into the low 20's. The sun will be with us through early Friday before a cold front arrives with showers and scattered thunderstorms.

An early look into the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix weekend in Montreal shows nearly perfect weather for Formula One fans. The weather looks dry with seasonable temperatures both days with highs between 20 and 24C (68 to 75F) and overnight lows a little chilly around 9C (48F). The cooler weather should make for some great racing this weekend.

Hurricane Season
June 1st was the official start of the Atlantic hurricane season. Forecasters are expecting a below average year as the effects of a strong Pacific El Nino begin to impact North American weather. The National Hurricane Center predicts 6 to 11 named storms, of which 3-6 will become hurricanes and perhaps 1 or 2 of those major storms.

The forecast path of Hurricane Blanco in the Pacific off Mexico. (NHC)

The hurricane season starts two weeks earlier in the north Pacific Ocean and we have a strengthening named storm this morning. Hurricane Blanco is nearly stationary 445 miles south of Manzanillo, Mexico with winds of 110mph early this morning. The storm is expected to intensify rapidly today and become a major hurricane. Forecast movement is towards the northwest and Blanco could affect the coast of  Baja California by the weekend, but as a weakening storm. Heavy surf will impact the west coast of Mexico all week.

More snow...more cold for southern Quebec

Piles of ice and water on Belgrave Avenue in the Montreal borough of NDG on Friday morning. (Global News Photo)

The winds have finally calmed this morning after almost 48 hours of 50 to 60km/h gusts across southern Quebec. The constant blowing and drifting snow made road travel terrible especially off island to the south. At one point yesterday several highways including Quebec Autoroute 15 to the US border were closed because of the weather. Blowing snow reduced visibility and iced roads in the extreme cold. Numerous accidents were reported. The cold has been relentless this month and Friday was no different in Montreal. Despite the eventual sunshine, temperatures only warmed to -16C. That is the current temperature this morning. 

Clouds have increased again over southern Quebec this morning in advance of low pressure moving from the Ohio Valley down the St. Lawrence Valley. Light snow will start early today and taper off by Sunday morning. A general 5-10cm (2-4 inches) is forecast across southern Quebec and Ontario with perhaps 15-20cm (6-8 inches) along the US border and points south into the Greens and Adirondacks. Temperatures will warm all day today, tonight and Sunday up to a sultry -2C (28F). It may even rise above freezing in a few spots Sunday, which would be the first time that has happened in over 6 weeks. It will be short lived as winds will increase again late Sunday and temperatures will plummet down to -20C (-4F) in Montreal by Monday morning. Clouds and flurries are likely along an arctic front that will clear the region by Monday morning. The high on Monday will only be -17C (2F) with gusty winds and low windchill values. The gusty 50km/h winds will also blow around the fresh snow once again making travel poor on highways outside the city.

The prolonged frigid weather has created a mess with multiple water main breaks in Montreal. There have been several major breaks across the island that have flooded basements and trapped cars in mounds of ice. Yesterday was no different with a break on Belgrave Avenue in NDG not only flooding roads, but also the AMT commuter rail line, delaying service for the third time this week. The delay in train service left thousands of commuters freezing on windy platforms on three lines. Earlier in the week, frozen switches delayed train service for over an hour Thursday night.

No major relief is in sight yet with more cold weather all this week.

Another arctic outbreak for southern Quebec

Above and below are a smattering of pictures showing the impact of heavy snow in Boston and southern New England. They have resorted to snow melters in Boston, in an effort to get rid of the mounds of snow. (AP Photos)

Weather has always been big in my world, going back to my childhood years in the early 70's. It seems weather has become a big topic lately as the mainstream media, especially in the U.S. comes on board with the recent spat of storms. We had a friendly debate yesterday at work over climate change and global warming. Whether or not you believe in such theories, it is a topic that usually conjures up a lengthy and exhausting debate. Bottom line, what you see out the window now is related more to the current short term weather pattern and not long term climate change. I am just saying don't discount climate change because it is cold out today.

This pattern by the way, shows no signs of changing in the near future. L'Ile Perrot is clear this morning at -17C (2F), another cold morning, well below the normal low of  -13C (9F). The high today is forecast to be only -13C (9F), the normal high is -4C (25F) for Montreal. Clouds will increase this evening as another clipper type low pressure system, following the same track as the last few, moves south of Montreal across New England. Snow will develop in Ottawa this evening and Montreal after midnight with 5-10cm forecast through Thursday. Temperatures will moderate slightly in the snow but then plummet Thursday night and remain frigid into this weekend. Lows overnight both Saturday and Sunday will be near -24C (-11F) in Montreal and even colder in rural areas away form the city. Strong winds will make the windchill bitter. After the snow Thursday, no major storms are forecast for Montreal at this time.

RECORD BREAKING SNOW FOR BOSTON
The big weather news this week has been the relentless parade of storms across New England. More heavy snow this week in Boston and southern coastal New Hampshire, has pushed the three week total to over 70 inches (175cm). It also has placed this winter`s snow depth at number nine all time in Boston, and climbing up quickly. More heavy snow is forecast this weekend with the potential of two separate storms impacting the region. Snow is piled up to the roof tops in some places. The National Guard has been called in to help with snow clearing operations. Some roofs have even collapsed under the weight of the heavy snow. It has snowed in Boston on 13 of the last 17 days.

Snow blocks the entrance to the Seacoast Science Center in Rye, New Hampshire. I love this place, having visited most recently this past summer. I would love to visit this week! (Facebook)

Frigid with snow for St. Lawrence Valley

NWS Burlington snow forecast up to the St. Lawrence Valley. Around 6 inches (15cm) is forecast along the border, with less as you move northwest towards Montreal, 4 inches (5-10cm). Double click map for more detail.

The snowy, cold weather pattern will prevail across eastern Canada with a couple of more waves of low pressure affecting the region this week. A frontal boundary draped across the Great Lakes this morning is the dividing line between the arctic air over Montreal and warmer air to the south. This boundary will be the focus of snowfall today as low pressure rides along it through Monday. Snow and blowing snow is forecast for eastern Ontario, along the 401 and into Montreal today and Monday. It will be light most of the time with 5-10cm from Montreal north and 10-15cm south to the U.S. border and along the 401 corridor. South of the border, winter storm warnings are in place for upstate New York and Vermont for up to 30cm of snow or 1 foot by the time it ends late Monday or early Tuesday. Gusty northeast winds up to 50km/h in the St. Lawrence Valley will blow the snow around and make it feel bitterly cold. This morning it is -18C (0F) in Montreal with a northeast wind at 37km/h and a windchill of -31C (-24F). The cold will last all week with the potential for the coldest night of the winter by Friday or Saturday. More snow is forecast on Wednesday as another clipper crosses the valley. While it seems like we may have had lots of snow this month, it has come in small amounts and has added up to 15-20cm (6-8 inches) for southern Quebec. Let's compare that to Moncton, New Brunswick and other parts of the Maritimes that have had over 150cm (60") in the last 10 days alone with two more storms forecast for this week.

Nothing but sunshine for Montreal

A perfect summer weekend is upon us as high pressure crests over southern Quebec. Sunny days, clear cool nights are the rule through Monday. Winds will be calm and the sky almost cloud free with high temperatures ranging from 27 to 29C (80-85F) through the weekend with comfortable lows of 15-17C (59-63F). The next chance for rain will not arrive until late Tuesday as a frontal system moves into the St. Lawrence Valley. Until then enjoy the weather. I am off to Stowe, Vermont to take in the 57th Annual Antique and Classic Car Meet, one of the biggest in the region. It is hosted by the Vermont Automobile Enthusiasts. As the National Weather Service office in Burlington posted this morning in the forecasters discussion, it will be Chamber of Commerce weather this weekend.

Radar image of tropical storm Isele crossing the coast of the Big Island, Hilo, this morning. The yellow storm above is the forecast track of Hurricane Julio by late in the weekend. (Weather Underground)

Tropical Storm Isele in Hawaii
The tropical Pacific Ocean is rather active this week. The big island of Hilo in the Hawaiian Islands was pounded overnight by Tropical Storm Isele. The system is crossing the island this morning with winds close to 100km/h with higher gusts and very heavy rain up to 10 inches (250mm). Trees are down and power is out to over 24,000 homes on Hilo. But so far the damage has been light, confined to coastal regions. Hilo has never been hit by a land falling hurricane and not this time either as Isele weakened below hurricane status late last night. Isele has 60mph winds this morning and is located about 45 miles (80km) south of the city of Hilo. The storm will continue a slow westward march across the islands today at 7mph (11km/h).

Meanwhile Hurricane Julio with 120mph winds is located about 970miles east of The Big Island, Hilo moving west at 16mph (26km/h). The storm is forecast to brush the northern Hawaiian Islands by the end of the weekend. While Julio is a category 3 storm this morning, it is forecast to weaken over the weekend. It has been 22 years since Hawaii has had a direct hit from a major hurricane. This is rather historic to have two systems affect them in rapid succession.

Weekend weather for Montreal

Waves from Rafael pound a coastal road near Trepassey, Newfoundland. 
(The Weather Network)

What a gem of a day Thursday was, a true gift this late in the season. Under warm sunshine the temperature reached nearly 20C here in the city. Sadly it has come to an end for a little while, maybe until next April! This morning we have lots of rain on the radar moving from south to north across the Adirondacks of New York and into southwestern Quebec and extreme eastern Ontario. Already about 5mm has fallen at my home on L'Ile Perrot with much heavier rain just to our south moving in at this time. We will add about 40mm to that over the next 24 hours, just below the warning criteria of 50mm (2 inches). North of the city into the Laurentians there will be over 50mm, so a heavy rainfall warning is posted there. Temperatures with the rain today will be very mild around 16C. The weekend looks showery, breezy and cooler as we head into Sunday. Looking ahead into next week we have a cold air mass building into Western Canada with some snowflakes possible. That cold air will likely arrive here in the east by next weekend. Time will tell.

Below: Yesterday the strong winds that affected the Prairies, moved into the Dakotas with lots of damage. Gusts to over 70mph in the Dakotas knocked down power lines, spread wildfires and blew transport trucks off of Interstates. Further south the wind created dust storms in Kansas and Oklahoma closing down several highways after numerous accidents in low visibility.

High winds, over 70mph, topple semi trucks like toys in Belvidere, South Dakota on Thursday.

Top Photo: In Newfoundland post tropical storm Rafael passed about 500km off the coast of Cape Race. The heavy seas and towering waves caused major damage to coastal infrastructure along the Avalon including in Trepassey. Some roads were inundated with sea water and debris. One resident told The Weather Network that the damage was worse in her area then that from Hurricane Igor. Amazing the power of water from a system passing so far out at sea.