The lost summer of 2023

A spectacular double rainbow taken in Laval last week. Will a nice fall be waiting at the end of the summer rainbow, time will tell. (Photo T. Tsoukatos)

The nights are getting longer and a touch cooler in Montreal, and the trees are showing colour. Where has summer 2023 gone? It has not been a very good one from coast to coast to coast. Fortunately in Montreal, all we have to complain about is washed out BBQ's and family outings. Other parts of the country and across North America have been hit by extreme weather that has caused billions in damage and several fatalities. Montreal has received record amounts of rainfall this summer, and in August, only two days above 27C (80F).

Across the country, wildfires have scorched millions of hectares, over 3.5 million in Quebec alone. Several of the fires, like those in Halifax earlier this year and most recently Kelowna and Yellowknife, have displaced tens of thousands of residents and destroyed hundreds of homes. In Canada, four firefighters have died in the fierce wildfires this season.

Across the Prairies, crops have withered in prolonged intense heat and drought, while hail and grasshoppers, yes locust, have destroyed many more acres. 

There are those who don't like the term climate change, I won't debate that here, but our planet is certainly in distress of late.

Heavy rain from the remains of Hurricane Hilary flooded the parking area at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday. Hilary was the first tropical system in nearly 85 years to impact California. (Facebook Photo)

Expanding out further across North America, the central and southern portion of the continent is baking in extreme heat that has shattered records that have stood for over a century. Over the weekend, a powerful Hurricane Hilary moved into Baja California and eventually northward into California and Nevada, dropping amounts of rain in a 24 hour period not usually measured over the course of the entire year. Up to 250mm (10 inches) of rain fell across interior portions of southern California and the hills east of Los Angeles. Flash flooding and mudslides were the result, with a state of emergency declared in California. 

What's left of Hilary is moving northward Monday morning, spreading rain as far north as Montana, southern Alberta and B.C. Any rain would be most welcome across that region.

As I write Monday morning, the tropical Atlantic has become very active with 5 systems of interest including tropical storms Emily, Franklin and Gert. A fourth system in the Gulf of Mexico, may be named later today and impact coastal Texas later this week.

The latest Canadian community to be threatened by wildfires is Kelowna, B.C.. Thousands were evacuated over the weekend as the McDougall Creek fire spread rapidly towards West Kelowna. Hundreds of firefighters have been on the frontlines holding back the flames and saving many homes. (CityTV)

Nearly 12 million hectares have burned across Canada this year to date, the worst fire season on record. If you have not been directly impacted by fire, then you likely have been by the widespread smoke and poor air quality. Environment Canada had issued special weather statements and air quality alerts 897 times from 2017 to 2022. In 2023 to date, 3166 such statements have been issued by the government agency impacting everyone across the country. 

Lastly severe weather and tornadoes have been occurring in our region. While thunderstorms are not uncommon in Quebec and Ontario in July and August, the frequency and severity of the storms have been rather unusual. Damage and power outages along with flash flooding have occurred across both the Ottawa Valley and Saint Lawrence Valley as well as the Townships, Laurentians and Quebec City region. We have had multiple days with rare tornado watches or warnings across our region.

Severe thunderstorm watch posted for southern Quebec

In what has become an almost weekly event in Montreal this summer, a severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for Thursday. The main threat today will be heavy rain, but there is also the risk for strong winds and hail. The storms will arrive in the city during the late afternoon and early evening hours.

Another severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for most of southern and eastern Ontario, and southern Quebec through the evening hours Thursday. A cold front will move into moist unstable air late this afternoon across our region, with strong thunderstorms expected. The storms will develop around midday in Ontario shifting east and northeast into Quebec. The biggest threat today, as it has been most of this summer, will be heavy rainfall and the potential for flash flooding. This is especially true outside Montreal where the ground is saturated from recent heavy rainfall. Gusty winds are also possible along with the slight risk for an isolated tornado. Be weather aware today if you have any outdoor plans. As always lightning is extremely dangerous, so when the thunder roars go indoors.

The front should clear our region overnight setting the stage for a pleasant, cooler and less humid Friday. Enjoy it, the humidity and rain/storm threat returns for the weekend.

We have a very progressive weather pattern in place that has pushed front after front across the Saint Lawrence Valley every other day. The result has been more heavy rain for many parts of the province since the middle part of June. While the storm earlier this week produced only 11.4mm of rain in Montreal, amounts increased quickly once you left the island. On Ile Perrot, I measured 18mm, with 24mm falling in Saint Anicet, Quebec City 70mm and Gaspe 157mm. Large parts of southern and eastern Quebec recorded between 50-100mm.

This trend of alternating rainy and sunny days will continue into next week, as our excessively wet summer persists.

Another round of heavy rain and thunderstorms on the way for Montreal

Precipitation was well-above normal in Quebec and Ontario during the month of July, and it appears that trend is continuing into August. Widespread rainfall warnings are in effect for a large portion of the region.

Wash. Rinse. Repeat. What a summer it has been across North America and particularly here in eastern Canada. We managed two rare spectacular weather days days in a row without severe thunderstorm, flood or heavy rain warnings, but sadly that has come to an end. Widespread rainfall warnings and special weather statements are now in effect across Ontario and Quebec as strong low pressure is forecast to move across the region.

Our attention now turns to a moisture latent low pressure system and warm front lifting northeast from the Great Lakes down the Saint Lawrence Valley over the next 36 hours. Heavy rain is already falling in the Ottawa Valley and will move into Quebec during the day today. The rain will come in waves, with showers and embedded thunderstorms. Amounts will range from 25mm (1 inch) up to as much as 75mm (3 inches). Some of the storms may become strong, with heavy rain and gusty winds, especially overnight Monday.

Unseasonably strong low pressure is forecast to move down the Saint Lawrence Valley over the next 24 hours resulting in heavy rain and thunderstorms for southern Quebec and severe weather over the Ohio Valley into the Northeast and New England. (AccuWeather.com)

While August has been a little better in the Montreal region, with only 9mm of rain at Trudeau Airport since the start of the month, other parts of Quebec have not been so fortunate, with a soggy July basically turning into a soggy August. Quebec City had a record breaking 264.7mm of rain in July, and already 19.8mm to date for August. They will addd to that total considerably this week.

The rain has produced widespread flooding in many parts of the province and across New England. Over the weekend, more heavy rain lifted northward across Maine and into New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Halifax measured 60mm of rain in just a few hours Saturday morning, with more flooding reported.

Over the upcoming week, the heavy rain and thunderstorms will result in additional flash flooding from the Ohio Valley across the northeast and New England and into southern Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada. Dry air will try to return by Friday, but it will be short-lived, with more showers by the weekend for Montreal.

Temperatures will be in the low to middle 20s for highs and middle teens for lows. The weather will feel quite muggy for most of the week.

Montreal's soggy July comes to an end

A flash of lightning turns night into day over Ile Perrot last Friday evening. It was just one of  the many thunderstorms generated this July from warm and moist air locked into the region. A record-breaking 212mm rain fell in Montreal for the month.

That was one wet July, record-breaking for many parts of the province. In Montreal, 212mm (8.4 inches) of rain was measured at Trudeau Airport. Many parts of the island had even more rainfall. There were multiple instances of flash flooding from heavy thunderstorms. That amount broke the record of 182.6mm (7.2 inches) set in 1980 at then Dorval Airport. The McGill University record from downtown Montreal set back in 1958 (246mm) was also eclipsed, with 265mm (10.4 inches) falling. The normal for a typical July in Montreal is 89mm (3.5 inches), so we were 237 percent of the normal value, so it was wet to say the least.

Rainfall amounts were 200-300 percent above normal values across southern Quebec this past month. Many regions established new monthly rainfall records. Meanwhile west-central Quebec and northern parts of the province remained usually hot and dry. This allowed many forest fires to continue burning. Over 1.5 million hectares have burned in Quebec this year to date. (ECCC Image)

At my home on Ile Perrot, I recorded 183.2mm (7.2 inches). Both Quebec City (265mm) and Sherbrooke (258mm) also established new monthly records. Sherbrooke measured 81.1mm in one day on July 10.

The heavy rain across portions of  Quebec City, the Saguenay and Eastern Townships south into Vermont and upstate New York produced widespread, historic flooding in many locations.

Along with the rain was plenty of humidity and severe weather. Besides the flash flooding and hail, three tornadoes occurred in July in the province. Two EF-0 tornadoes, capable of 130km/h winds occurred at Mirabel and Saint Thomas on July 13. Meanwhile on July 18, an EF-1 tornado occurred at Brompton in the Eastern Townships. The storm, capable of winds of up to 155km/h, resulted in damage to homes a barn, crops, several trees and hydro poles.

 As if that was not enough, July also featured multiple days of poor air quality from forest fire smoke and days on end of fog and elevated humidex readings in many parts of Quebec. Montreal reached a steamy humidex of 42C (107.6F) on both July 5 and 6. However, the cloud cover and frequent rain did result in lower daytime highs in general across southern Quebec, but the same conditions produced very mild overnight temperatures yielding above normal temperatures overall in many parts of the region. The average in Montreal was 22.8C (73F), above the normal of 21.2C (70.1F).

Northern parts of the province into Labrador were downright hot this past July. On July 4, the warmest temperature ever recorded at Kuujjuaq near Ungava Bay was observed at 34.3C (93.7F). This smashed the previous high of 25.6C (78.1F) set in 1962. 

August has started off cooler than normal, but dry for a moment or two. That will change tonight and Thursday, as a warm front will result in more heavy rain and thunderstorms across the Montreal region. The weekend at this time looks dry and warm, but rain returns once again to start next week.

Severe thunderstorm watch in effect for Montreal

By now you know the drill in Montreal. We have a very unstable, warm and humid airmass in place, with a cold front arriving this evening. There is a risk for very strong thunderstorms today, a few capable of flooding downpours, strong winds, dangerous lightning and hail. Be weather aware today and  pay close attention to any weather warnings that may be issued. The best chance for thunderstorms will be very late this afternoon into the early evening in Montreal.

You know the drill by now in Montreal with this July producing countless thunderstorm days. A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for southern Quebec for Friday afternoon into the evening hours. Thursday's heavy rain has left behind a very warm and humid airmass across the region. The low clouds and fog are in the process of burring off Friday morning, leaving behind a very muggy, warm and unstable airmass across our area. Temperatures will rise close to 30C (86F) this afternoon under partly cloudy, humid and hazy skies.

A rather strong cold front will arrive from Ontario this evening, igniting some strong to severe thunderstorms in the Montreal region. The storms will be scattered in nature, so not everyone will see one today. If they do occur, some will be capable of very heavy rainfall, gusty winds and hail. There is even the risk for rotation with some of the cells, so an isolated tornado can't be ruled out. The strongest storms will be from Montreal south and east of the city to the US border. Most of the activity will be in the late afternoon into the evening hours, before moving south into New York State by midnight and weakening overnight.

Saturday will cloudy and much cooler, with scattered showers and temperatures in the low to middle 20s.

We are closing in on the rainfall record for the wettest July in Montreal. As of Friday morning, Trudeau Airport had measured 176.2mm (6.93 inches) of rain for July. The all time record was 182.6mm (7.18 inches) set way back in 1980. We could break the record today, if storms occur close to the airport in Dorval. Many parts of the city have already received well over 200mm (8 inches) of rain this month.

Another round of heavy rain forecast for southern Quebec

Another round of heavy rain is expected across the Montreal region during the morning commute on Friday. While excessive amounts of rain are possible, we are not expecting any severe weather at this time.

Environment Canada has posted a special weather statement for southern Quebec including metro Montreal, for the overnight period into Friday morning. Another round of heavy rain along with embedded thunderstorms is expected to drop 30 to 50mm (1-2 inches) of rain across the region, with more possible in the most persistent storms. Some flash flooding is likely once again.

Thursday will be the best day of the week, expect mostly sunny skies, with a warm high of 28C (83F). Clouds will be on the increase this evening, as low pressure over Michigan moves northeast to lie near Cornwall, Ontario early Friday morning, and Quebec City by late in the day. Thunderstorms will develop during the pre-dawn hours, moving through Montreal during the morning commute. At this time I am not expecting any severe weather (strong winds, hail), just heavy rain. Some flash flooding is possible, along with ponding of water on area roadways. There will be a break in the rain mid-morning, with more precipitation developing during the afternoon hours.

Isolated thunderstorms during the afternoon will bring the threat for more heavy rain. Showers will persist into Saturday before skies begin to clear out late in the day. Temperatures will be cooler on Friday along with the clouds and precipitation, with a high of 22C (72F) expected. The highs over the weekend will be around 26C (79F), with lows of 18C (65F).

Waterways across all of southern Quebec are running high at this time, and the ground is saturated in many locations. Lac Memphremagog in the Eastern Townships, southward into northeast Vermont was under a flood warning on Wednesday, responding to the copious amounts of rain that has fallen in that region over the last week. 

July has been excessively wet across our all of southern Quebec, northern New York and New England. Montreal, Trudeau Airport has measured 106.8mm of rain through Wednesday. Other locations across the metro region have received even more, well in excess of 150mm. Meanwhile, 225.4mm has already fallen in Sherbrooke since July 1st, with 202.6mm in Quebec City, 141mm in Trois-Rivieres and 108mm in Vaudreuil-Dorion.

There is some good news in the forecast, the blocking pattern that has kept us so wet this month is showing some signs of relaxing it's grip next week. While the week will not be entirely dry, there will be a decent stretch of sunny, warm weather with precipitation finally at or slightly below normal for the week.

First two Quebec tornadoes of 2023

One final note, the Northern Tornadoes Project from Western University in Ontario has concluded its investigation into last Thursday's severe weather.  They determined that 6 tornadoes occurred along with 5 significant wind downbursts during the severe weather outbreak July 13 across Ontario and Quebec. In Quebec, two tornadoes occurred, both rated as EF-0, with estimated winds of 130km/h. One was reported near Saint-Thomas with second observed close to Mirabel Airport. Other storms produced hail and flash flooding in Montreal and Laval along with widespread tree damage and power outages.

Flash flooding - power outages sweep Montreal region

One of at least a dozen underpasses that flooded in Montreal after severe thunderstorms on Thursday afternoon. The flooding created traffic gridlock in the central part of the city, with the afternoon commute lasting late into the evening for many. (Photo Courtesy Ragini Patel)

I have been a weather enthusiast since just shortly after I could walk, and days like yesterday still amaze me as to how powerful mother nature can be. It was an extremely active day across eastern Ontario and southern Quebec, with several waves of severe thunderstorms. 

A supercell thunderstorm, one of several observed on Thursday across Quebec and Ontario, advancing on downtown Montreal during the late afternoon hours. (Photo Courtesy George Michel Boutros)

Environment Canada posted rare tornado watches for most of the region, and the storms delivered just after the noon hour, first in the Ottawa Valley, and then unfortunately, during the afternoon commute in Montreal.

Several supercell storms showed rotation, with a confirmed tornado touching down in Barrhaven, southwest of downtown Ottawa. The tornado, yet to be rated, produced significant damage to homes and cars, with at least one injury.

As the storms pressed east, more rotation was observed along the Ottawa River, with a funnel cloud reported in Vaudreuil-Dorion. There was also a confirmed tornado in Mirabel, north of Montreal. This prompted tornado warnings for the entire Island of Montreal. Wind damage was reported across Ile Perrot and the West Island, with several trees and branches down. Wind gusts to 111km/h (68.9 mph) was observed at Trudeau Airport, along with 2cm hail. Dozens of tress were toppled, many on the West Island along the Saint Lawrence River. Power outages mounted, with Hydro-Quebec already having trouble with transmission lines form the north due to forest fires. In all, nearly 500,000 were left without power in the province. This morning that number is down to 216,000 across Qubec, with 86,000 on the Island of Montreal. 

The Barrhaven, Ontario tornado. (Photo via Twitter@TheTaoOvMan)

Flash Flooding

The big problem for most of Montreal turned out to be water not wind. Torrential rain fell with the storms, this time over the central portion of the city. I measured officially 20.4mm in only a few minutes at my home on Ile Perrot, but the storms moved over my location quickly. Such was not the case in Montreal, where 38.2mm fell at the airport, with reports of up to 100mm in several neigbourhoods just to the east of the airport and towards the downtown core. 

At least a dozen underpasses flooded in the usually locations. Oddly enough on just about the 36th anniversary of the Decarie Flood of 1987, the Expressway once again flooded Thursday afternoon. It created traffic gridlock in the central part of the city. Other areas flooded included Cote-des-Neiges, Cote-St-Luc and Lachine, where several cars were inundated up to their roofs.

The severe weather pushed east of the city, with more rotation and funnel clouds observed around Trois-Rivieres.

Friday will be the calm after the storm, with lower humidity and a pleasant high of 26C (79F) under bright sunshine. A rare gem indeed, in what is turning out to be a very odd weather year across our region.

The calm after the storm, as the setting sun reflects off the debris clouds behind the cold front late Thursday on Ile Perrot. (Valley Weather Photo)

Elevated risk for strong thunderstorms in Montreal

Strong to severe thunderstorms are likely Thursday afternoon across the region, with another round of flooding possible in parts of southern Quebec, New York and Vermont. The main risk in metro Montreal will be gusty winds, small hail and heavy downpours. The greatest risk will be between 4-7pm for the city. Isolated tornadoes are possible across the region today.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch posted for southern Quebec

Flood Watch for New York and Vermont

There is an elevated risk of severe thunderstorms across southern Quebec and eastern Ontario during the afternoon and early evening hours today. Storms will develop in eastern Ontario and the Ottawa Valley around 2pm, arriving in Montreal during the afternoon commute. Heavy rain, frequent lightning, strong winds and isolated tornadoes are possible. This system has a history of strong thunderstorms across southern Ontario, Michigan and in the Chicago area last evening.

The last thing the region needs is more rain at this time, unfortunately that is exactly what is in the forecast. A warm front is in the process of lifting north of the St. Lawrence Valley Thursday morning, which will result in some brief showers and isolated thunderstorms for the next hour or so. After that Montreal will be in the warm sector for a few hours before strong low pressure and a trailing cold front arrive from the west.

Look for strong thunderstorms during the afternoon hours, producing 15-25mm of rain in some spots. This is not what the flood ravaged regions of the Townships Quebec City and Vermont need right now.

The threat for severe weather will diminish after sunset this evening. Look for muggy weather today and throughout the upcoming weekend. The high today in Montreal will be 27C (81F), with humidex reading well into the 30s.

Major flooding stabilizes in Quebec/Vermont - but more rainy humid weather expected

Water surges along the Montmorency River near the town of Saint-Brigette-de-Laval northeast of Quebec City. Flooding has forced numerous families from their homes in parts of southern Quebec after torrential rain fell Monday and Tuesday. (Photo via Facebook)

The historic flooding across Vermont and parts of southeastern Quebec is stabilizing on Wednesday as rivers fall near or below flood stage. The severe flooding was the result of a months worth of rain in leas than 48 hours across the region. Montreal remained on the western edge of the heaviest precipitation, and still managed 25mm to locally 50mm of rainfall. Across the Townships, Quebec City, the Charlevoix region and into Vermont and New York, between 100 and 200mm of rain was reported.

In Quebec, dozens of families have been evacuated along the Saint-Francois River in Sherbrooke, with several homes flooded. A local state of emergency is in effect in Sainte-Brigitte-de-Laval after the Montmorency River surged through parts of the community, washing out roads and flooding homes.

The Lamoille and Gihon Rivers combined to produce catastrophic flooding in Johnson, Vermont. Between 100-200mm of rain fell in 48 hours across the state producing severe flooding. All 14 counties in the state have received a federal disaster declaration. The water is receding slowly on Wednesday but sadly more rain is in the forecast. (Reddit Photo via Twitter)

South of the border, the entire state of Vermont has been declared a federal disaster area. Several agencies including FEMA are on the ground Wednesday assessing the damage caused by major flooding. Communities along the spine of the Green Mountains were the hardest hit, with the Town of Ludlow basically cut off from the rest of the state. Damage is severe, with dozens of roads in the state damaged or impassable. Every dwelling in downtown Montpelier, the state capital, sustained water damage after the Winooski River left its banks. Images are heartbreaking, showing the worst flooding since tropical storm Irene in 2011.

The good news is that outside of a few isolated showers on Wednesday, we actually have a relatively dry day ongoing. Temperatures and humidity levels will be more comfortable for the clean-up effort to begin. Unfortunately it will not last.

The same stubborn upper level low over Hudson Bay will continue to control the weather into next week, with fronts pinwheeling into the region. A warm front Thursday will generate more showers and thunderstorms, followed by the arrival of a cold front late in the day. Showers and thunderstorms will persist into Friday across the entire region. The temperature and humidity will also be on the rise making the outdoors rather uncomfortable into the weekend. More showers and storms are likely both Saturday and Sunday.

As far as new rainfall amounts are concerned, between 15-25mm is very possible in the most persistent thunderstorms by late Friday. Some areas in hard-hit central and southern Vermont may have as much as 50mm (2 inches) by Friday night. Keep in mind the ground is beyond saturated across most of the region (excluding Montreal) and any rain will cause sharp rises in waterways as well as potential flash flooding. Also with all the flood water flowing eventually into Lake Champlain, the lake is expected to rise by as much as 30-45cm (1 to 1.5 feet). This will also help to increase levels and flows in the Richelieu Valley.

Rainfall warning for metro Montreal

The storm system moving northward into our region Monday, has a history of severe flash flooding. Rainfall warnings are in effect for southern Quebec. Above, rushing flood waters inundate a parking lot in Orange County, New York on Sunday afternoon. (New York State Police Photo)

A slow moving saturated weather system is moving northward along the eastern seaboard on Monday, spreading more heavy rain and tropical moisture northward into New England and Quebec.

Environment Canada has expanded the heavy rainfall warnings westward to now include the City of Montreal. Look for rain, heavy at times to develop later this morning, accompanied by occasional thunderstorms. Amounts may exceed 50mm (2 inches) over the next 24 hours, with the heaviest rainfall expected over eastern and southeastern regions. The rain should taper off Tuesday morning, but the rest of the week will remain warm and humid with more thunderstorms.

Major flooding is occurring across New York and Vermont. The photo above was taken in Canandaigua, New York on Sunday. (Canandaigua Fire Department Photo)

So far around 5-10mm has fallen in southern Quebec, but radar is showing heavy rain just south of the international border, moving northward. I believe if any flooding were to occur in southern Quebec, it would be southeast of Montreal, in the Townships and Beauce. However, we will have to see where the axis of heaviest precipitation lines up later this afternoon and evening.

On Sunday, the storm system produced devastating flash flooding in the Hudson Valley of New York, spreading northward into southern Vermont. Radar estimates of up to 300mm have been reported in New York, described as a 1-in-1000 year flood for places such as West Point and Rockland. More heavy rain is falling today in Vermont, with strong wording from the National Weather Service about the potential impacts from flooding. Numerous water rescues have already been carried out. So far one fatality has been reported in New York State. In Vermont, between 25 and 100mm of rain has already fallen, with more on the way. Vermont Gov. Phil Scott has declared a state of emergency.

There is widespread damage and roads washed out in many places. Keep this in mind if your travels take you south into New York or New England.

Major flood event unfolding over the next 24-48 hours across portions of our region

Torrential rain and thunderstorms are likely to produce major flooding over the next 48 hours across southeastern Quebec, New York and New England.

Serious language is being used by several forecasters regarding heavy rain and the potential for dangerous flooding across a large portion of southeastern Quebec and northern New York and New England over the next 48 hours. If you live in a flood prone area pay close attention to weather conditions and additional warnings.

Heavy rainfall warnings are now in effect for a large portion of southern Quebec, just east and southeast of the metro Montreal region, including parts of the South Shore, the Townships and Quebec City. At this time, 25 to 50mm (1-2 inches) of rain is forecast for Montreal, with up to 100mm (4 inches) or more southeast of the city and across Vermont and northern New York. Flash flood watches and warnings are numerous across the northeastern US and New England. Isolated amounts may approach 200mm (8 inches).

Strong wording from the National Weather Service in Burlington, Vermont, comparing this event to that of Hurricane Irene back in 2011. Major flooding is anticipated, extending into southeastern Quebec. (NOAA/NWS)

Deep tropical moisture is moving northward into very unstable, humid air. The circulation along a warm front will draw in copious amounts of moisture from the Atlantic Ocean into our region. Rounds of heavy rain and thunderstorms are forecast to develop tonight and persist into Tuesday morning across the entire region. The rain will be torrential at times, with some locations along the US border and in the Champlain Valley receiving up to 50mm in less than an hour. The ground is already saturated in those locations, so any additional rainfall will simply runoff into local waterways producing major flooding.

Flash flooding has already been reported in southern New York and across northeast Pennsylvania on Sunday.

The National Weather Service in Burlington, Vermont is comparing the rain potential to that of Hurricane Irene back in 2011 that devastated parts of Vermont. They are calling this potentially a 100 year flood event for Vermont and portions of New York. The same wording is now be extended northward into parts of southern Quebec, especially the Eastern Townships.

Unsettled, humid weather to persist into next week for Montreal

A towering thunderstorm developing in the tropical airmass across the West Island of Montreal during Thursday afternoon. (ValleyWeather Photo)

A heat warning remains in effect for metro Montreal through Saturday. The combination of warm temperatures and high humidity will make it rather uncomfortable for outdoor activities.

A weak cold front is in the process of moving across southern Quebec early Friday afternoon. The front is expected to produce some widely scattered showers and thunderstorms, with the bulk of the activity occurring south and east of the city. The front will wash out over the next 24 hours, leaving us in the same warm and humid airmass well into next week.

Several rounds of showers and possible thunderstorms are forecast right through Tuesday. Most of the time the weather will be dry, but when the storms do occur, they have the potential to produce torrential rain locally, with the risk for flooding.

A flood watch is in effect for northeast New York and Vermont Friday, where flooding has already occurred this week. Conditions have been fairly dry in the Montreal region, with only a few millimetres falling at my home on Ile Perrot this week. Other parts of southern Quebec, New York and New England have reported much higher amounts, mainly in areas that have received persistent thunderstorm activity.

Thursday was suffocating, with a high of 32.5C (90F) in Montreal, with humidex readings close to 40C. Montreal was actually one of the "cooler" locations, with many spots reaching into the middle 30s. The temperature remained warm overnight in the low to middle 20s. The heat prompted a record consumption of power across Quebec. During the afternoon hours, at the peak of daytime heating, a high tension line from Laval to the West Island of Montreal failed, plunging over 200,000 Hydro-Quebec customers into the dark and without air conditioning on one of the warmest days of the year. Traffic lights were out and some intersections became chaotic during the afternoon commute. Most of the power was restored by 5pm. 

Temperatures this weekend will be slightly cooler, in the upper 20s as a result of abundant cloud cover, but the muggy weather will persist.

Warm and humid weather week ahead for southern Quebec

Stationary thunderstorms over northwestern Clinton County, New York, along the Quebec border, produced flash flooding on Saturday night into Sunday. Up to 200mm of rain is estimated to have fallen in just a few hours. Above, the Great Chazy River flooded the Blue Haven Campground in Ellenburg Depot, NY, forcing evacuations. (Photo courtesy Tammy Arbour)

The coming week will be very warm and humid in Montreal.

Another round of scattered showers and thunderstorms is possible on Monday and Tuesday, with southern Quebec remaining entrenched in a warm, humid and unstable airmass. Temperatures will be warm to even hot all week, with highs ranging from the upper 20s into the low 30s across the region. Factoring in the humidity, and conditions will feel oppressive at times in the middle to upper 30s. Little relief is expected during the overnight hours, with lows around 20C (68F). 

A flooded home along US Route 11 near Ellenburg, New York on Sunday, July 2.  Ellenburg is 100 kilometres southwest of Montreal. (WCAX)

Over the weekend, strong thunderstorms developed along a warm front Saturday morning, with thousands of lightning strike observed as the storms moved across the Island of Montreal and Laval. A lightning strike in Laval-sur-le-Lac ignited a fire damaging a two storey residence. Heavy rainfall and hail up to 3cm was also reported. The rain was much needed here on Île Perrot, where 34mm fell Saturday (I recorded only 49mm for the entire month of June). At Trudeau Airport, 30.8mm was reported, with 55mm in both Riguad and St. Anicet.

Further south, nearly stationary "back building" thunderstorms dumped between 100-200mm (4-8 inches) of rain across northeastern New York State, specifically Clinton and Franklin Counties. There are radar estimates of even more locally. The torrential rain, falling in just a few hours Saturday night, produced severe flash flooding along the Great Chazy River. A friend was staying at the Blue Haven Campground in Ellenburg, New York, where evacuations were ordered in the wee of hours of Sunday morning. Numerous swift water rescues were carried out. Several homes and businesses are flooded as well, with numerous roads closed and washouts reported. More storms are forecast for the same area Monday.

Extensive flooding from thunderstorms at Blue Haven Campground in Ellenburg Depot, New York. (Tammy Arbour)

Back in Quebec, flash flooding was reported in the Saguenay region after 130mm of rain fell Saturday. In Rivière-Éternité, a state of emergency has been declared after flash flooding in that community forced more than 200 residents to be evacuated. The SQ and firefighters are searching for at  least two individuals missing after their cars were swept away in the flood waters.

Strong thunderstorms for southern Quebec through midnight

Severe thunderstorms are possible in Montreal through midnight. (ValleyWeather Photo)

 

Severe Thunderstorm Watch for metro Montreal - Tornado Watch for Eastern Ontario

A line of very strong thunderstorms is moving across eastern Ontario and western Quebec Saturday afternoon. The storms are bubbling up in the very warm and humid airmass along a cold front. Widespread severe thunderstorm watches are in effect, as well as a tornado watch across eastern Ontario.

Very dangerous frequent lightning, gusty winds, hail and even an isolated tornado is possible within the strongest cells.

More recently a tornado warning was issued for the Papineau region, for a storm showing rotation near Lac-Simon in western Quebec.

The storms will vary in intensity and persist for most of the evening hours before weakening after midnight.

A line of storms early Saturday morning produced thousands of lightning strikes across southwestern Quebec, with an almost constant rumble of thunder for over an hour.

Smoke set to return to Montreal for 24 hours

Dense smoke over the St. Lawrence River in Dorion last Sunday, June 25. The smoke is set to return Thursday for at least 24 hours across southern Quebec. (ValleyWeather Photo)

Smog and air quality warnings are in effect across our entire region. Smoke from the Quebec wildfires will return across the Ottawa Valley this morning and into southern Quebec by late in the day. This is in response to an upper level low and cold front moving off to the southeast, and a wind shift to the west and southwest.

The smoke will prevail into Friday, before winds shift back to the south, and the heat, humidity and thunderstorms return for the Canada Day holiday weekend.

Dense smoke from fires burning in central and western Quebec have been settling across eastern North America and observed as far away as Portugal and France. (SOPFEU)

Beneficial rain is falling in Montreal on Thursday morning. While showers and thunderstorms have been occurring all week long, most areas have been spared heavy rainfall. For example, at my home on Ile Perrot, the first rain of the week is finally falling this morning. I have only measured 46.2mm for the month of June, while parts of Vaudreuil had 60mm in just one hour on Monday. Trudeau Airport for the same time frame has reported 67.8mm. These differences are typical of a warm and humid airmass, where thunderstorms can be hit and miss.

Radar estimates show that as much as 100mm of rain fell in thunderstorms in Vaudreuil-Dorion on Monday, producing flash flooding. However, just across the bridge on Ile Perrot, no rain fell until Thursday morning, and even then only a few millimetres was measured. (Ventusky.com)

The smoke was affecting portions of the Great lakes and Midwest on Wednesday, with very dangerous air quality across the region. Toronto has some of the most polluted air on the planet Wednesday, reporting 15 consecutive hours of smoke. Early Thursday, their air quality has improved, while both Ottawa and Montreal are declining. Current readings show and AQI of 73 in Montreal and an unhealthy 156 in Ottawa.

Widespread smoke and haze is set to return to southern Quebec Thursday afternoon. Another upper level low returns over the weekend with more heat, humidity and thunderstorms. (AccuWeather.com)

The smoke will return for approximately 24 hours before retreating back to the northwest by Saturday.

According to SOPFEU, 110 fires are currently burning in the province, 26 of which are out of control. We are in the worst fire season on record here in Quebec, with close to 1.5 million hectares scorched already. (1 hectare equals 2.5 acres). Resources from New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Yukon, Parks Canada, The Canadian Armed Forces, USA, France, and South Korea have been helping Quebec firefighters battle the fires. The current wet weather across portions of the province is lending a much needed helping hand.

Strong thunderstorms produce flash flooding in Vaudreuil while sparing Montreal

A wall of darks clouds greets an arriving airplane at Trudeau Airport on Monday afternoon. The thunderstorms remained west of the city, producing flash flooding in Vaudreuil-Dorion off the western tip of the island of Montreal.

An intense northward moving line of thunderstorms impacted the Vuadreuil-Dorion region on Monday afternoon, with as much as 60mm of rain falling in under one hour. There are unofficial reports on social media of more than 100mm falling. The torrential rain fell quickly, overwhelming the sewer system and flooding numerous businesses and homes. Among them were Costco and Maxi on Saint-Charles. Parking lots were quickly inundated with water stranding several motorists. The Centre Multisport was also closed for the evening due to flooding. The flooding was isolated in nature, with no rain occurring at my home on Ile Perrot, only 12 kilometres to the southwest.

The storms missed the Montreal region, splitting the city to the east and west in narrow lines. Strong storms also affected portions of the Ottawa Valley, with a potential tornado observed near Thurso, Quebec.

Another area of rainfall with embedded thunderstorms is moving northward along the New York, Vermont border at 10PM and should arrive in the Montreal region later this evening and early overnight.

Any storms will taper off after midnight, with a muggy low of 20C (68F) expected in Montreal. On Tuesday, our weather will continue to be affected by the slow moving upper low pressure as it moves eastward towards New England. Look for very humid conditions, with another round of showers and thunderstorms developing once again during the afternoon hours. There is the risk for more heavy rain and flash flooding. As we witnessed today, not all regions will be affected by the storms.

Dense smoke settles over Montreal - relief on the way

An unnatural sky in Vaudreuil-Dorion and Ile Perrot as dense smoke covers the region, generated from wildfires in central and northern Quebec. The smoke will lift northwest early Monday morning. (ValleyWeather Photo)

Smog Warning in effect for southern Quebec - Air Quality Advisory in Ontario

Special Weather Statement for strong thunderstorms Monday for Montreal

Sunday has been a very unhealthy day to be outdoors, with widespread smoke form the Quebec wildfires settling over southern Quebec. The Montreal region has had some of the worst air quality on the planet today, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 198 as of 7pm. Eastern parts of the city re well over 200. The AQI has been as poor as 297 today. Readings between 150-200 are unhealthy, over 201, very unhealthy. The fine particulate matter can make it difficult to breathe at times, especially for those with respiratory issues. 

Montreal has observed 13 hours and counting of smoke at Trudeau Airport, with the visibility ranging between 2-4 kilometres. Ottawa has reported 16 hours of smoke, with their visibility lowered to between 1-3 kilometres. The smoke has also drifted into portions of northern New York and New England.

The smoke is being generated by 80 wildfires burning in the province on Sunday, many out of control. The fires have scorched nearly 1.3 million hectares of land, over 3 million acres. This is the worst fire season on record for the province. SOPFEU maintains an open air fire ban across the province, with the exceptions of those regions south of the St. Lawrence River. The air quality will begin to improve in Montreal early Monday morning as the wind shifts out of the south due to an approaching upper level low.

The temperature failed to reach the forecast high in Montreal on Sunday, as smoke filtered out the suns warmth over southern Quebec. (Valley Weather Photo)

On Saturday, isolated heavy showers and thunderstorms produced enough rain to create some flooding around 5pm in Montreal. Some parts of the city, including Trudeau Airport, reported up to 25mm (1 inch) of rain in under one hour. It was isolated in nature, with no rain falling here on Ile Perrot.

We have a very wet, warm and humid week ahead, with plenty of showers and slow moving thunderstorms. Between 30 and 50mm of rain is possible locally in the thunderstorm activity on Monday alone, with more rain expected throughout the upcoming week. The storms will develop during the afternoon for Montreal. The high on Monday is expected to be around 25C (77F), with a muggy low near 20C (68F).

Environment Canada image showing the extent of the smoke over southern Quebec and Ontario.

Warm and humid holiday weekend ahead for Montreal

Warm and humid weather along with frequent showers and thunderstorms are expected for the long holiday weekend in Montreal.

Welcome to summer 2023, arriving right on time at 10:57 AM on Wednesday. 

While we have had some hot days this spring in Montreal, the humidity has been in check for the most part. That will change beginning Friday, as a warm and moist airmass surges northward straight from the Gulf of Mexico into Ontario and southern Quebec.

Along with the humidity will come a daily risk of showers and thunderstorms from late Friday, lasting well into the middle part of next week. While everyday won't be a washout, it will definitely be very humid, with frequent periods of heavier precipitation expected.

As far as temperatures are concerned, Thursday and Friday will be quite warm, with highs close to 30C (86F). Over the holiday weekend, clouds and precipitation will keep temperatures slightly cooler, in the middle 20s, but the aforementioned elevated humidity will increase humidex/real feel readings into the low 30s. The overnight periods will remain very muggy and warm, with lows either side of 20C (68F) in Montreal. Some locations may remain above 21C (70F).

While the threat for severe weather remains relatively low at this time, there will be some stronger storms that produce periods of heavy rainfall, with some potential for flash flooding. The thunderstorm development will need to be monitored, weather warnings may be needed. The greatest risk in Montreal will be each afternoon, Saturday through next Wednesday.

Mother nature has been exceptionally crazy the last few weeks, with everything from forest fires to June snowstorms. Just this week, both record highs and lows were recorded across Newfoundland in the same 24 hour period. Searing heat has set all time record highs across Texas, and that heat surged northward into southern Manitoba on Wednesday, with highs in the upper 30s at some locations. Severe thunderstorms dumped heavy hail across Colorado, while thunderstorms caused significant flooding and damage in southern Manitoba. Environment Canada along with the Northern Tornadoes Project will be investigating damage at Ninette, Killarney, Sidney and Austin, Manitoba to determine if tornadoes occurred. In Fisherton, Manitoba, northwest of Winnipeg, 143.6mm of rain fell during the thunderstorms.

The tropics are becoming active. Above, a NOAA satellite image of tropical storm Bret east of the Leeward Islands on Thursday morning. 

Tropical storm Bret has formed in the Atlantic Basin. Early Thursday morning, Bret was located 205 kilometres east of Barbados, moving west at 22km/h. The storm has winds of 110km/h and was expected to reach hurricane strength on Thursday. Storm warnings have been raised for the Leeward Islands.

Finally as we head into the holiday weekend, keep in mind that there are still 80 fires burning in Quebec. Most of the region north of the St. Lawrence River has a burn ban in effect. Addiotnally the use of fireworks is being restricted for most of the province.

Be weather aware and stay safe.

Unsettled weather for Grand Prix weekend in Montreal

Qualifying for the Canadian Grand Prix was held in the rain in 2022 at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, and it is looking that way again for this weekends event. Showers are forecast all day Saturday, but dry weather is expected for race day Sunday, with just a chance of a sprinkle. (Stellantis - Alpha Romeo Photo)

Thousands of race fans will be descending on Montreal this weekend for the Canadian Grand Prix F-1 race. Unfortunately the weather does not look great. An upper level low has been influencing the weather most of this week, with numerous showers and thunderstorms across southern Quebec.

The storms were particularly active Thursday afternoon along a trough, producing lots of thunder and lightning, heavy rain and even some small hail. Some much needed rain did fall, with 4mm at Trudeau Airport, and 9mm here on Ile Perrot. There were reports of sporadic power outages and a few tree branches down.

The counterclockwise flow around the system will deliver a few hours of hazy, smoggy weather to Montreal on Friday as more smoke from the Quebec wildfires drifts over the region. A smog warning is in effect for Montreal.

There are numerous activities scheduled, both at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve and in downtown Montreal on Friday, but those attending, will have to dodge more showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon and early evening. Again some of the storms may be on the strong side. The good news is that most of the day will remain dry.

Saturday however will be wet. Another upper level low, the third in a series, will slowly drift from the Great Lakes into central New England while deepening. The result will be showery, breezy and cool weather for Saturday across southern Quebec. As much as 15mm of rain is expected. The damp weather will last all day.

The silver lining is that the system will continue to push east and allow for the showers to taper of Saturday evening. Sunday now looks much better than it did 24 hours ago, with mostly dry conditions, with perhaps a sprinkle of two. Temperatures will be on the cool side all weekend, around 20C (68F) for daytime highs, and in the lower to middle teens for lows.

The heat will return late next week, as we have a pattern change expected to develop. The region will begin to tap into some very warm and humid air that is entrenched over the Gulf states this weekend. We can expect warm and humid weather with scattered thunderstorms starting by mid week and persisting into next weekend. The depth of the heat and humidity and the frequency of thunderstorm activity still needs to be fine tuned.

A break from the smoke across our region...for now

Thick smoke from hundreds of Quebec wildfires envelopes the George Washington Bridge in New York City on Wednesday. The smoke prompted numerous cancelations, flight delays and warnings up and down the east coast from officials asking residents to remain indoors. The air quality readings this week were some of the worst on the planet and in recorded history for many locations from Ontario to Washington. Conditions are improving on Friday for now, but the fire season remains very active across Canada. (AP Photo)

The air quality has improved for many residents of southern Quebec and Ontario on Friday as the smoke has dissipated considerably over the last 24 to 36 hours. Low pressure in the upper atmosphere that has been drifting slowly across New England, is forecast to move east of the region Saturday, finally releasing its grip on our weather. The dreary, smokey and at times wet weather here in Montreal this week, will be replaced by sunshine and warmer temperatures Saturday and Sunday.

However, winds will back to the northwest on Sunday, and more smoke at very high altitudes may drift back into the region. At this time we are not expecting a repeat of this past week, but it will need to be monitored closely.

The smoke was so dense at times, especially across southern Ontario and New York, that air travel was impacted, and numerous outdoor events were cancelled. This included two Major League Baseball games in New York City and Philadelphia.

The smoke is being generated by hundreds of fires burning in Quebec, Ontario and Atlantic Canada. The smoke is being driven counter clockwise around the upper level low and deep into the US. Over 125 fires are currently burning in Quebec, with close to 649,000 hectares burned so far. Nearly 40,000 square kilomteres have burned across Canada this year and it is only June. That makes 2023 the fourth worst season on record to date, likely to become number one within the next week or so.

Relief is arriving from France, Costa Rica, Portugal and the United States. US President Biden has promised 600 firefighters and several aircraft to assist with the Canadian response.

Another low pressure system arriving late Sunday and Monday promises more beneficial rainfall for Ontario and Quebec, but also more lightning. Southerly winds accompanying this low pressure will result in a warmer, more humid airmass than the current system. Along with the showers will be frequent thunderstorms in the humid air. Lightning from last Thursdays thunderstorms in Quebec is believed to be the leading cause of many of the major fires currently burning in the province.

The rain this week has been helpful, but more is needed. Since June 1st, 7.2mm of rain has fallen at Trudeau Airport. The normal for the entire month of June is 87mm.

Some relief from wildfire smoke in Montreal

Haze and smoke lie across the western horizon in Montreal on Monday afternoon. Poor air quality has resulted in widespread weather warnings from Quebec and Ontario southward along the US Eastern Seaboard. Some relief is on the horizon for metro Montreal, but eastern Ontario, including Cornwall and Ottawa, will continue to bear the brunt of some of the worst air quality in the world.

Smog warning in effect for metro Montreal

The air is still thick  with smoke across many parts of western Quebec and southern Ontario, stretching as far south as the Carolinas on Wednesday morning, but some relief is in sight. A stubborn upper level low pressure system retrograding over New England, has brought some light rain and cooler temperatures to many parts of the province. While amounts have been very light, less than 2mm here in Montreal, any rainfall is welcome. The cooler temperatures are helping as well.

The circulation around the low has driven the worst of the smoke into eastern Ontario and western New York state. That region has measured some of the worst air quality in the world over the last 24 hours, with widespread visibilities under a couple of kilometres along with high numbers of fine particulate matter. Levels have been very high in eastern Ontario especially, with very unhealthy to hazardous levels reported.

The smoke and haze caused many outdoor activities to be cancelled in the Montreal region and across western Quebec into Ontario on Tuesday.

The smoke is being generated by nearly 150 active wildfires burning across the province that have consumed nearly 500,000 hectares (1.2 million acres). For may, this is the worst fire season already in Canada, and it certainly has produced some of the poorest air quality at many locations since record keeping began.

While conditions will briefly improve here in Montreal, many other locations will still be dealing with the smoke and extremely dry weather.

Widespread air quality advisories remain in effect on Wednesday. The low pressure in question helping to propel the smokey air southward, will only drift eastward very slowly, persisting into Friday. By the weekend, high pressure will attempt to clear skies out, and we may see a break from the smoke.

We need rain. The showers expected this week are forecast to produce 5-10 mm of rain in the Montreal region, but much more is needed to break the dry almost drought-like conditions across the southern and western portions of the province.

Poor air quality as hundreds of fires burn across Quebec

An unnatural view of the sun on Tuesday morning over Montreal. Smoke from over 150 wildfires burning in Quebec, is resulting in poor air quality as far west as Toronto and as far south as New York City. (Valley Weather Photo)

Smog Warning posted for southern Quebec, with Air Quality Advisories in effect for eastern Ontario, New England and New York.

The record warm and dry weather of the last week or so has taken a toll on the Quebec forest fire season. The province is now reporting over 153 fires, many burning out of control. The amount of hectares covered has exploded to 223,877, well-above the ten year average for the date. There have been 434 fires since the start of the year in Quebec. Nearly 10,000 residents have been forced from their homes, especially in the hard-hit Abitibi, Cote-Nord and Saquenay regions.

While strong low pressure did bring rain to eastern parts of the province, the western portion remains bone dry. The low pressure produced gusty north and northeast winds that have driven dense smoke into Ontario, southern Quebec and as far south as New York City. Very poor air quality is producing spectacular sky conditions but also contributing to increase in repository and health issues.

SOPFEU map of the more than 150 fires currently burning across Quebec. Each red icon represents a fire burning out of control. (SOPFEU)

What we need now is rain. To date, Montreal has had only 0.2mm recorded at Trudeau Airport for June. Last month we measured only half the normal rainfall. A soaking rain would help firefighters gain some ground in the province. Nearly 480 firefighters are on the ground, helped by at least 200 Canadian Armed Forces. Resources are being requested from other parts of Canada, the US and as far away as France and Costa Rica.

Thousands have been evacuated in the province as one of the worst fire seasons on record continues. (Radio Canada)

The weather system we had last Thursday, produced very little rainfall, with plenty of lightning and gusty winds, the perfect ingredients to start and spread wildfires quickly. Currently a province wide burn ban remains in effect.

The balance of the week is forecast to be cooler, with scattered showers at times and perhaps a ruble of thunder. While we are not expected a huge quantities of precipitation, any amount at this time would help.

With hundreds of wildfires burning across Canada, authorities fear this may be the worst fire season on record for the country.

More record heat for Montreal - but cooler weather on the way

A provincial water bomber battles a blaze burning out of control near Chapais, Quebec. Resources have been spread thin across the province, as more than 100 fires are burning at this time. The good news is cooler weather is on the way, with some rain expected as well. (SOPFEU)

Thursday was smoking hot in Montreal, about as hot as we get at any time during the year, The high at Trudeau Airport was 34.3C (94F) smashing the previous record of 29.3C (85F) set in 2011. The heat was even more impressive downtown at the McGill/McTavish location, where a 131 year old temperature record fell, with a high of 34.8C (95F), surpassing the 1892 record of  30.7C (87F). No matter how you look at it, or where you were in southern Quebec, it was hot!

The humidity remained low for the day, with very little moisture available as a frontal boundary slipped south across the Laurentians into Montreal by 5pm. That set the stage for a series of dry, windy Prairie-like thunderstorms around the supper hour. The storms generated lightning and strong wind gusts in the 70km/h range, but sparse rainfall. There was more dust being blown around in most locations than anything else. The front did produce a sudden drop in temperatures as the thunderstorms collapsed bringing cooler air from the upper atmosphere. Here on Ile Perrot, the temperature dropped from 35C (95F) to 27C (81F) in less than 10 minutes.

The humidity levels have risen overnight in Montreal, and we have a better chance of stronger storms Friday afternoon, along with some heavy rainfall, as a backdoor cold front arrives from the northeast. The storms may be briefly severe, with heavy rain and lightning the main threat. Before the storms, we have another record high expected today of 31C (88F). The record to beat was 30C set in 1970.

We need the rain desperately as the fire situation has grown exponentially over the last week. Over 100 active fires are burning across the Province of Quebec at the moment, eight considered out of control. According to SOPFEU, the hectares burned as exploded up to 15,152 in the last week. A burn ban remains in effect across the province, as well as into Ontario and Atlantic Canada. Be very vigilant with any source of fire or heat outdoors, it does not take much to ignite the dry vegetation at this time. One fire is threatening the central Quebec community of Chapais where some evacuations have been ordered.

The heat and smoke from the fires triggered a massive power outage in Quebec Thursday afternoon, with over 250,000 Hydro-Quebec customers in the dark and heat, including 88,000 in the Montreal region.

There is some good news as cooler weather in the way for the weekend. The high Saturday will be a more seasonable 22C (72F), along with gusty northeast winds up to 50km/h. We also have more rain and much cooler weather forecast for next week, which will certainly bring some much needed relief to the fire situation across eastern Canada.