Weekend Update

The weather has taken a bit of a tranquil trend these last few days here in Montreal. The main thunderstorm activity this morning remains across the central portion of the country from the southern Prairies into Iowa. Our cold front that produced very little weather in southern Quebec Wednesday, is now well off the east coast and has left behind a cool, dry and almost September like air mass. Temperatures are in the low teens this morning in the city, the coolest readings since the first of the month. It will be even cooler this evening with lows near 10C in Montreal and as cool as 4C north of the city. The weekend looks ideal with sunny skies, low humidity and temperatures between 25 and 27C. As mentioned, the heavy weather remains out west while the deep south continues to swelter with temperatures in the mid 90's and high humidity. The tropics are quiet for the time being with just a couple of waves of interest at this point, and no development expected this weekend.

Despite the heavy rainfall this month in Montreal from thunderstorm activity, it remains very dry in most of the province. Montreal is just shy of 100mm (4 inches), but other portions of the province are dangerously dry. Quebec City and surrounding regions are very dry with less than 40mm of rain so far this July.

Elevated thunderstorm risk

Long Island Power crews work to restore power after heavy storms this past Sunday.

There is a decent chance of some strong thunderstorm activity today from the Ottawa Valley across eastern Ontario and southwest Quebec and into northern New York and New England. Warm and humid air is streaming north on gusty southwest winds today in advance of a potent cold front. This front has a history of severe weather since Sunday from the high plains and prairies across Northwest Ontario and the Great Lakes. Numerous reports of hail, flooding and tornadoes have occurred. We can expect the thunderstorms to flare up late this afternoon in our area. The main threat will be gusty winds and heavy rain in and around Montreal. Up to that point it will be a warm and humid day with temperatures near 30C. Thursday will be cooler and much less humid with highs reaching 25C under sunny skies.

This past Sunday a strong cold front cut into some of that tropical air on the US east coast. A line of very intense thunderstorms moved across the New York City metro area and produced an F-1 tornado with 100mph winds in the Bronx. It was the first such storm since 1974 according to one source. Numerous trees and power poles were snapped and some injuries were reported from flying glass. Power was out to thousands on Long Island.

The 30C parade continues

If all goes well today, we should exceed 30C for the 6th time this month and perhaps the 7th tomorrow. We would normally expect that in an entire summer. We have also hit over 29C on four other days. It has been a very warm summer. Combine that with the tropical like humidity and the heavy thunderstorms, and it has been quite a month. We can expect more of that warm air to stream into the region for the next two days from the southern US before a potent cold front moves into Ontario and Quebec by late Wednesday. Winds will increase across the area Wednesday out of the southwest to 60km/h in advance of the front. The front has had a history of severe weather including hail, flooding and tornadoes in northwest Ontario and southern Manitoba. We can expect some decent thunderstorms in the region Wednesday night.

Meanwhile the heat and humidity will be pushed back south where it has been all summer. After having a wicked bad winter in Baltimore and Washington DC, they are in for a record breaking hot summer. Baltimore has reached 100F on 5 occasions this July, the most ever, and 7 times this summer. Washington has reached 90F or hotter on 42 days and counting.

Pleasent Monday

Damage from an F-0 tornado in Amherstburg, Ontario on Friday. (Windsor Star)

I apologize for no updates to the blog over the weekend. No excuses really, I was just catching up on chores around the house. Speaking of which, Saturday morning I worked on our hedges and lawn. It was by far the most humid day of this hot summer. I had to stop repeatedly to have some water and even douse myself with the hose. The temperature was close to 27C in Montreal, but the humidity was a sticky 90% with dew points well above 20C and humidex readings close to 36C. Despite all the heat and humidity all we manged to squeeze out of the clouds was a few showers. Sunday was much cooler, drier and breezy. Today, and most of this week will be sunny and warm with temperatures near 30C. Overnight lows will be near 20C.

The severe weather was held primarily across the Midwest US and briefly into southwestern Ontario. An F-0 tornado touched down to Amherstburg, Ontario near Windsor. The storm did damage to some homes and snapped some trees and power lines crushing several vehicles. Meanwhile heavy rain across the Midwest caused major flooding in Milwaukee and Chicago. Up to 10 inches of rain feel across the region inundating numerous municipalities, trapping motorists in their cars and cutting power. The water is slowly receding today. A dam failed north of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and destroyed several homes. No injuries were reported.

Finally Tropical Storm Bonnie was thankfully a non-event. After producing heavy rain and gusty winds over south Florida the system meandered into the Gulf and slowly began to fill. She became nothing more than a tropical rainstorm affecting the Florida panhandle, Mississippi and Alabama.

Bonnie heads for south Florida

Tropical Storm Bonnie approaching southern Florida a few hours ago (NOAA).

After developing into the second tropical storm of the young 2010 season yesterday, tropical storm Bonnie is moving rapidly away from the Bahamas and into southern Florida this morning. A tropical storm warning is up for south Florida including metro Dade/Miami and the Florida Keys. Bonnie has 40mph winds and is heading northwest at 19mph. At this speed the storm will race across Florida and into the northern Gulf of Mexico tonight. Late Saturday the storm will threaten the Gulf Coast. A tropical storm watch is in effect from the Florida panhandle to Morgan City, Louisiana. While little change in strength is forecast today, a slight increase in intensity is possible by Saturday. Despite this, forecasters do not expect Bonnie to become a hurricane at this time. Winds remain in the 40mph range with squally weather moving onto the coast this morning. The storm is moving rapidly and this should keep rainfall down in the 3-5 inch range. Wave action is expected, but at this time the surge should be minimal. Isolated tornadoes are possible especially over the Keys. The biggest impact will be to marine interests with winds whipping up waves over 10 feet on the open waters around south Florida and south towards Cuba and the extreme eastern Gulf of Mexico.

Severe Weather Update: Here is a link to the NWS in Burlington on the damage that occurred from the St. Lawrence Valley across Vermont on Wednesday during the severe weather outbreak. HERE

Calm weather today

Yesterday's thunderstorm activity produced hail and strong winds in Ontario and Quebec. The power was out in many regions and trees were snapped north and east of Montreal. The photos are of lightning in Sarnia and hail near Kingston, ON. (www.theweathernetwork.com photos)

Numerous heavy thunderstorms prevailed region wide yesterday with the strongest activity north of Montreal from the Ottawa Valley across the Laurentians and then east of Montreal into the Townships. A second wave of severe weather moved across the northern counties of Vermont and New York. Both these sets of storms triggered heavy rain, dangerous lightning, hail and very strong winds. One inch hail was reported in St. Sauveur along with flooding. Sorel and Tracy had over 65mm of rain with the storms. More storms developed in eastern Ontario and moved across the St. Lawrence River near Cornwall before moving into Franklin and St. Lawrence Counties in New York. Late last evening another line of storms developed over the Ottawa Valley again and moved into Montreal between 11:30 and midnight. The storms produced about 12mm of rain and some gusty winds with vivid lightning here in Montreal, but no severe weather was reported. The bulk of the heavy weather remained well outside the metro region yesterday. The storms were well forecasted yesterday by Environment Canada and the National Weather Service with plenty of advance warning.

The weather will be much calmer today with a mix of sun and clouds and temperatures near 27C. Starting late Friday and into the weekend, low pressure and a frontal system will move down the St. Lawrence Valley. There will be an increasing risk of showers and thunderstorms with the possibility of more severe weather by Saturday afternoon across the area. It will be mostly cloudy and humid the entire weekend with temperatures near 27C.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch

Update 12:30pm: Severe Thunderstorm Watches have been extended across most of southern Quebec and all of southern and eastern Ontario. Watches are also posted until 8pm tonight for all of New York State and Vermont. Some warnings are also starting to be issued. Radar is showing storms increasing in aerial coverage north and southwest of metro Montreal, and moving towards the metro region.

10:53 AM EDT Wednesday 21 July 2010

Severe Thunderstorm Watch for
Metro Montréal - Laval issued by Environment Canada

Weather conditions in these regions are favourable to the development of severe thunderstorms. Some of these thunderstorms could produce large hailstones, high winds, heavy rain and intense lightning. People in these regions should take the necessary precautions and listen for subsequent weather warnings, as severe weather warnings may be issued if severe weather becomes imminent.

This watch is in effect from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM EDT.

Thunderstorms are already affecting certain parts of Western Québec. As a result of daytime heating, other more intense thunderstorms will develop and could become severe in some areas.

Severe thunderstorms possible today

It seems I quietly went over 1000 posts this past week. Thank you so much for reading... SB

The weather is unsettled this morning in southern Quebec. A frontal boundary lies to our south with extremely hot air south of it and warm and increasingly humid air over our region and north of us. Already this morning a few sprinkles have been reported. Meanwhile an upper air disturbance in the atmosphere is moving into the region from the northwest. This will be the focus for thunderstorm development this afternoon. Already this morning heavy storms are forming in the upper Ottawa Valley and west Quebec. Severe thunderstorm warnings have been issued at this early morning hour. The Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma has the entire northeast under a slight risk of severe weather today. The main threat will be gusty winds and torrential rains. If this summer has shown us anything so far, it is that the storms have plenty of moisture with them. The threat will increase after the noon hour today in Montreal and slightly earlier across eastern Ontario. Temperatures will be near 27C (80F) today. It will remain warm and muggy for the foreseeable future with no really cool weather anywhere in sight.

Tropical Atlantic (Updates on the left side of the blog)
Meanwhile the tropics are becoming active (see Accuweather map above) with a low pressure area off the coast of Puerto Rico expected to develop into a depression over the next 24 hours. The forecast models take the storm into south Florida by Friday. What is not clear at this time is if the storm will be named. Forecasters at the National Hurricane Centre have given the system a rather high 60% chance of development. The water is warm and conditions are favorable for further intensification. If the low reaches tropical storm strength (39mph or greater), it will be named Bonnie. A Hurricane Hunter recon flight is scheduled for tomorrow morning.

A tranquil weather day

Enjoy today, it will be a near perfect summer day, with decent relative humidity, light breezes and a high near 27C (81F). Yesterday we managed to reach 24C late in the day breaking our streak of 27C (80F) plus days at 16 from July 3-18. Today the temperature as mentioned, will go back above 27C. There are some fog patches about this morning but they are burning off quickly. Montreal had about 17mm of rain yesterday, mostly before noon. There were scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon north of the Ottawa River and south of Burlington, Vermont, but neither affected southern Quebec. Another frontal boundary will increase the heat and humidity tomorrow and produce scattered afternoon showers and thunderstorms in Ontario and Quebec.

Stormy Weekend

An intense thunderstorm continues to develop near Hawkesbury, Ontario on the Ottawa River Saturday afternoon. Scores of thunderstorms developed ahead of a cold front and produced two tornadoes in the region. ValleyWX Pic

The summer onslaught of severe thunderstorms in our area continued this past weekend with reports of two separate tornadoes locally, hail, and a couple struck by lightning in Montreal. Severe thunderstorms fired up in the warm and humid air by noon on Saturday across Eastern Ontario and then southern Quebec. I was crisscrossing the farm country in eastern Ontario between Highways 401 and 417 and encountered very strong down burst winds and torrential rains. I managed to miss both twisters despite being right in between the storms. The first struck Berwick, Ontario near Cassleman Saturday afternoon. With winds of around 100km/h the storm snapped scores of trees and damaged some homes. Environment Canada has determined the storm to be an F-0. A second F-0 tornado struck near St. Lazarre late Saturday with 120km/h winds causing damage at several homes and also toppling trees. Meanwhile the storms produced heavy rain in Montreal and intense lightning. The lightning struck a couple standing under a tree in east end Montreal just prior to the International Fireworks festival at Laronde. They are both in serious condition in hospital. Flooding was also reported again along the 40 near L'Acadie circle forcing Transport Quebec to close the road for about an hour.

Yesterday was quiet, much drier and cooler than it has been all month. Today it is muggy again with heavy rain showers this morning. There is a risk for the morning hours of more scattered thunderstorms. The balance of the week will be warm and humid with scattered showers, much the same way this entire month has been.

Heat & Humidity

The heat is on again today across southern, eastern Ontario and southwest Quebec. It will reach into the low 30's with humidity levels on the rise. Extensive fog has been reported this morning in portions of the St. Lawrence Valley and across sections of Vermont and New York. This is a good indication of lots of low level moisture available for thunderstorm development later tonight and Friday. A cold front is expected to move across the region on Friday and produce showers and thunderstorms before a sunny and very pleasant weekend in the region.

**It has been a very warm month. Montreal reached a high of 20C on the 1st of July and a low of 12C. Since then we have been above 18C both day and night. That includes the last 13 days over 27C (80F) with 5 of those days over 30C. The max average so far is 29.4C with a min average of 19.7C.

Rocky Mountain July SNOW

Photo from Kent Kasey of The Birmingham News, Alabama (ai.com). Apparently his golf game was interrupted. You have to love Alberta weather!

While we have been sweltering in high heat and humidity a snowstorm affected portions of the highest elevations of the Rockies from Alberta into northwestern Montana earlier this week. I was looking at the numbers for Jasper, Alberta and they are very impressive. A slow moving unseasonably strong storm moved across the Prairies with heavy rain in Alberta and thunderstorms in Saskatchewan. This is all part of what has been a very stormy year in western Canada. Jasper was 32C (90F) on Friday, July 9th. Just 2 days later, as the rain moved in along a cold front, the temperature had plummeted to 1.6C (34F) and the heavy rain changed to heavy wet snow. Jasper recorded about 57mm of precipitation with at least half of that falling as snow (by some accounts as much as 20cm). The same storm brought heavy rain to the other parts of Alberta with 100mm at Red Deer and 67.6mm at Edmonton.

Roller coaster week

The weather will improve today as the clean up continues at the St. Catherine Locks along the St. Lawrence Seaway on Montreal's South Shore. The CSL ship the Richelieu dumped about 75 tonnes of oil into the seaway on Monday forcing closure to all ship traffic. According to the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation, the seaway should reopen by tomorrow. (Montreal Gazette photo)

The one constant this week will be the muggy and warm air. Otherwise showers, clouds and sun will mix for the balance of the week as a series of frontal boundaries affects eastern Ontario and Quebec. yesterday most of the the thunderstorm action remained well south and west of Montreal passing through the Seaway and south into New York State. The main feature of these storms was the very heavy rain and sporadic flash flooding. Over 40mm of rain fell in many locations from Cornwall and Massena south and east. Despite the ominous forecast Montreal had just a few millimetres of light showers late in the afternoon with a rumble or two of thunder. The storms that passed south of Montreal late Monday night produced an 80km/h wind gust at the airport in Dorval and snapped some hydro poles and tree branches. The threat for thunderstorms today is minimal, but hey you never know this summer.

Heavy rain possible today

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH: Metro Montreal 10AM-9PM

A frontal boundary slowly moving across Ontario and Quebec today will be the trigger for some juicy thunderstorms. Yesterday Montreal reached 29.5C which was just enough to trigger some big storms especially north of the city across the Ottawa Valley and Laurentians. Late in the day a strong cell moved north from New York state across the south shore, just clipping the island. Heavy bursts of rain and strong winds with vivid lightning accompanied the storm.

The same air mass remains in place this morning with elevated dew points and humidity and the chance of some clearing, the atmosphere will become very unstable. Already this morning with the limited clearing to our southwest, daytime heating is allowing for thunderstorms to erupt. Temperatures will reach 26 to 28C today. Environment Canada has posted a severe thunderstorm watch for southwest Quebec for today effective 10am until 9pm. Typically when a watch is issued this early it is because of the threat of flooding rains from the thunderstorms. Such was the case last Friday. The possibility exists today for 25-75mm (1-3") of rain due to thunderstorm activity. No warnings are in effect at this point. Check the live updates to the right for any warnings that may be posted today.

Showers will continue into Wednesday before clearing skies Thursday and a return to showers and thunderstorms once again for Friday. It will remain warm and humid through the week.

Another warm week ahead

It will be another warm day across Ontario and southern Quebec with high temperatures reaching into the lows 30's. While this week will be muggy and warm, the dangerous heat of last week will not be matched. Dewpoints will allow the humidex reading to reach about 35C, nearly 10 degrees cooler than last week. A frontal boundary late in the day today will set up the chance of thunderstorms into the overnight period. The unstable air will stick around on Tuesday with the likelihood of more showers and thunderstorms. The balance of the week will be warm and humid with showers or thunderstorms again by Friday. In others words a very typical July week in Montreal.

Less humid...still warm

Despite the passage of a cold front on Friday, it remains warm and humid across southern Quebec. Yesterday the mercury topped out at 28C (83F) while down about 10 degrees from Friday, it remained muggy, and scattered thunderstorms developed late in the afternoon and moves east of the city. This morning it is warm again - already up to 27C in Montreal with a humidex of 33C. There remains a very slight risk of an isolated shower today or perhaps a rumble of thunder. The upcoming week will feature more muggy and warm air. This week will not be nearly as hot as the record breaking heatwave of last week, but it will be uncomfortable. Temperatures will be near 30C and into the low thirties by Friday with humidity values increasing and the humidex reaching 40C by Friday as well.

**I missed one record high last week that was on Tuesday, July 6 when we reached a temperature of 34C at the airport just beating the record set in 1993 at 33.5C. Of note, the overnight lows during last weeks heatwave were actually warmer than the lows during the famous 1975 heatwave in this city. The 1975 heatwave is responsible for the warmest temperature ever recorded in Montreal at the airport, 37.8C (100.4F). Last week our lows from Monday to Friday were in the 24 to 25C range for some of the warmest overnight lows this city has ever recorded. Downtown, on most nights, it remained near 27C or 80F.

Severe weather threat continues

End of a Heatwave

The thunderstorms that swept the island of Montreal at 1pm today produced flooding in many regions including along the Trans Canada near Fairview in Pointe Claire (above & below). The temperature dropped from 30C to 23C during the storm. (Photos T. Cobrin)

Heavy flooding rains swept across the island of Montreal around 1pm today. It had already reached 30C just prior to the storms and the atmosphere was saturated from the week long heatwave. The storms dumped 40mm of rain on the city in less than 1 hour. The result was flooded highways and basements. Strong winds and lightning cut power to about 14,000 homes across the city. A severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect for the region until midnight as the cold front is still to our west and the atmosphere remains unstable. A second and even third round of storms may be possible this evening. Flash flood watches are also posted across New York State and Vermont.

Flooding possible today

Dog Days of Summer

This photo was sent to me yesterday, I am not sure of the source,

but boy does he have the right idea!

12:30pm Update: Warnings for heavy rain have been extended across all of eastern Ontario including the National Capital District. Heavy, slow moving thunderstorms are also developing ahead of the cold front in the tropical air over our region. Radar is showing several storms southwest of Montreal moving towards the city. The bulk of the heavy steady rain is still west of Ottawa. It is hot again in Montreal, 30C at noon with a humidex of 40C.

8:36 Update: Radar is showing thunderstorms with heavy rain stretching from the Ottawa Valley to Lake Ontario moving very slowly east towards east central Ontario. The first indications that these storms will be soakers is in the form of Heavy Rain Warnings now posted from Renfrew to Peterborough in Ontario for 40-60mm of rain or more. I imagine these will be the first of many warnings today.

As the heatwave moves into day 5, relief is on the way in the form of a very slow moving cold front. The front has been crawling across Ontario towards western Quebec and the St. Lawrence Valley. Concern is increasing for flooding, and at this unusual hour of the morning and well in advance of the front arriving in southern Quebec, Environment Canada has posted a severe thunderstorm watch for metro Montreal and the surrounding region. The storms today will be slow moving in nature and dripping wet with moisture. The potential exists for 50mm or more of rain in a very short period of time. The concern is so great that flash flood watches have been posted for all of New York State and Vermont. The storms will develop in the tropical air by noon and persist into this evening. The threat for wind damage or hail is not that great, the main threat will be flooding. Historically heatwaves don't just fade away they end with an event. Keep in mind the Decarie flood of July 14, 1987.

Speaking of heat Thursday was another impressive day. Many locations including Ottawa, Kemptville, St Anicet, Gatineau and up into the lower Laurentians reached or exceeded 35C. At 3pm yesterday afternoon St. Anicet on the shores of the St. Lawrence River was 35C with a humidex of 46C. Burlington, Vermont won the heat award yesterday, reaching 36C and tying a long standing record. Montreal reached 34C beating the record of 33C from 2008.

I will post more information today on the flood potential as the threat develops.

Record breaking heat

The numbers are impressive from this current heatwave along the eastern seaboard and into southern Quebec, Ontario and now the Maratimes. Montreal reached 33.7C yesterday beating the old record of 32C set in 1982. We are forecasting a high of 34C today which will edge out the previous record of 33C set in 2008. Another fact of this heatwave has been the overnight temperatures. At 3am this morning, Montreal was one of the warmest cities in eastern Canada and the entire Northeast at 26C (79F). Our low was a record breaking 25C as we continue to establish all time records for highest overnight lows. The humidex is another interesting fact. The combination of heat and humidity has pushed the humidex value over 42C for three consecutive days. If it does the same today and tomorrow it will be the first time in the history of this city that this has happened. As a result of this, the city has opened cooling centres across the Island of Montreal and extended outdoor pool hours. You can obtain all the information at ville.montreal.qc.ca or by calling 3-1-1. Please check on all your neighbours, friends and family especially seniors.

High heat and smog advisories remain posted region wide again today. Temperatures will soar into the 31-36C range. Yesterday afternoon in Ile Perrot and St. Lazarre at around 6pm we had a heavy tropical shower. The storm dumped a quick 10-15mm or so of rain on the area and knocked the temperature down a few degrees. The result was sauna like conditions for the balance of the night. We can expect the same today with a risk of showers and thunderstorms. The heatwave will break late Friday as a cold front sweeps into the region. Temperatures will cool into the upper 20's with much lower humidity.

Other high temperatures yesterday included 35C (95F) at St Anicet/Lancaster, 35C in Ottawa, 34C (94F) at Kemptville and 33C (92F) in Toronto. A late afternoon sea breeze cooled Boston to only 28C (83F) while New York reached 37C (100F) before cooling into the upper 70's last night.

Montreal 94F - NYC 103F

A young girl has the right idea in Philadelphia yesterday. AP Photo

The heatwave is into day 4 with relief in our future, but not until Friday and specifically Saturday. Yesterday was just plain hot. What is most unusual about this heatwave is how warm it is staying at night. Montreal reached 33.6C (94F) yesterday, but had dropped only to 29C (85F) by midnight last night. Our overnight low was a sweltering 24C (76F) the normal low is 15C (59F) - we are currently back up to 26C (79F) as of 8am. Other portions of the east coast continued to suffer in intense heat yesterday. Boston reached 99F, while Central Park in New York was 103F and Baltimore was 105F. Newark, NJ reached 102F but they reached 100F before 11am. Montreal should easily surpass today's record high set in 1982 at 32C.

Power grids up and down the northeast coast and into Ontario are being stretched to their limits. Yesterday several regions reported power failures and more can be expected today. Such is not the case in power rich Quebec. According to Hydro Quebec, consumption on Monday was 22,000 megawatts compared to a normal July day of about 18,000. According to the power authority, while it is high, it is nothing compared to the winter when we can reach daily consumption of 37,000 megawatts. We are ok, and apparently like heat more than cold.

The City of Montreal will announce today that cooling centres will finally be opened. I will post that information once I receive it. I encourage you anywhere within this heatwave area to check on neighbors and friends and especially the elderly to make certain they are keeping cool.

Heat Advisories remain posted region wide today with high temperatures forecast from 32 to 36C or about 90-97F. Humidity is on the rise as well with dew points in the 22C range producing humidex values over 40C. Limit outdoor activities and seek shelter if you feel faint. Drink lots of water, this from our resident intern Dr. Obvious!

Relief should come be the weekend with showers and thunderstorms forecast and a much cooler high of 27C by Saturday.

Heatwave continues

We are well into our third and likely the hottest day so far in this current heatwave. The warmest temperature ever recorded in Montreal was 37.6C back on August 1, 1975, we may see that fall with this current heatwave. (The warmest temperature recorded in Canada was 45C at Yellowgrass, Saskatchewan on July 5, 1937. Oddly enough a good friend of mine moved to Yellowgrass in 1994 and I have visited there often.) Montreal at 8am was an incredible 27C with a humidex of 36C. The heat index is already knocking on the door of 100F and it is only 8am. Overnight numbers were impressive, as it never went below 25C at the airport, one of the warmest nights this city has ever recorded. I managed 24C overnight at my place on Ile Perrot, that was after yesterdays high of 34.6C at my home, but officially 32C at the airport. Other area temperatures were 34C at Toronto, 34C at Ottawa and 36C (97F) at Plattsburgh, NY.

Needless to say Urgence Sante has been busy here in Montreal. They are on a second level emergency plan with all hands on deck and six extra ambulances on the road. Yesterday they had over 450 calls by mid-afternoon. Many were heat related with heat stroke and exhaustion the main calls. Conditions will not improve before the weekend, with hazy, very hot and increasingly humid weather forecast. Air quality will also deteriorate increasing the risk of respiratory problems. The warmest is yet to come with forecast highs of 35C by Thursday. We may see some relief by Saturday.

A high heat warning is in effect for southern Quebec and eastern Ontario along with a smog advisory. Meanwhile south of the border warnings for heat and poor air quality have been extended into Vermont and all of New York. All locations will see highs between 95-100F and heat indexes slightly above 100F.

High Heat and Humidity

Lake Champlain looked inviting yesterday near Plattsburgh Beach in upstate New York. The Green Mountains are in the background. It will be 90 - 95F in Plattsburgh today.
ValleyWX Pic

High heat and humidity advisories are in effect across a wide area of southern Quebec today and into the middle portion of this week. High pressure over the eastern portion of the continent is surging a tropical air mass of hot and humid air up the entire eastern seaboard. This morning the mercury is already at 24C in downtown Montreal and 26C at both Toronto and NYC. The temperature will climb to 33C today with humidex reading in the low 40's. Across the east coast highs will be close to the 100F mark in New York and Washington and mid 90's in Boston. The heat will be accompanied by smog and poor air quality. Advisories are in place across all of western and northern New York as well as southern and eastern Ontario and southern Quebec. Overnight lows will only cool slightly to the mid 20's. There is no break in site at least until the end of the week. Scattered thunderstorms will prevail most afternoons and evenings. According to the NWS in Burlington, this week has the possibility of being a true heatwave, the first since 2003. A heatwave is 90F (32C) or higher on three consecutive days or more.

Keep in mind in this type of heat and smog, heat exhaustion is possible. It is important to stay hydrated and cool. Watch for the signs of heat exhaustion and get into the shade of air conditioning if needed. Pay special attention to the afternoon period when the effects of sun, heat and humidity are at their greatest.

From Environment Canada
Metro Montréal - Laval 4:42 AM EDT Monday 05 July 2010
High heat and humidity warning for Metro Montréal - Laval continued

A hot and very humid airmass will cover these regions today making conditions very uncomfortable. During this period, people suffering from chronic diseases (E.G. Heart and respiratory diseases) could see their conditions deteriorate. Exposure to these conditions could also cause discomfort, such as muscle cramps, exhaustion and heatstroke. In order to better withstand the heat, it is recommended that people drink a lot of water, limit physical activities and seek out air conditioned or shady areas. If you are concerned for your health or need more information, call 811 to contact info-health services in your area.

Happy Fourth of July

Happy July 4th everyone!

"I wanted to post an American flag today, so I took one of my favorite pictures from this years trip to Hatteras Island, North Carolina in May. The picture above is of the historic weather office in Hatteras Village" ... Steve

The weather here in the eastern portion of North America is HOT. Temperatures and humidity are on the rise all up and down the east coast and into Ontario and Quebec. Yesterday we reached around 30C in most communities in southern Quebec, northern New York and New England. We have had a few sprinkles this morning along a frontal boundary that is lifting north, but temperatures are still near 27C (80F) at noon. The region will have hazy sunshine and temperatures on either side of 32C (90F) this entire week until Friday, with muggy and uncomfortable overnight lows in the mid 20's C or 70's F. There is a risk of thunderstorms as well in the late afternoons. That threat will increase by next Friday and Saturday.

Happy Birthday Canada

Happy 143rd Birthday Canada

What a beautiful morning here in southern Quebec, sunny skies, crisp and cool. It will be a sunny and cool day in Montreal and eastern Ontario. Very warm and humid air across the Prairies is triggering more thunderstorms and heavy rain on this Canada Day, more flooding is likely. Meanwhile that hot and humid air is moving east into Ontario and Quebec starting Friday. Temperatures will soar to over 30C with humidex readings close to 40C. Advisories for humidity and smog may be needed by Sunday or Monday here in the St. Lawrence Valley.

Hurricane Alex came ashore last night as a very strong category 2 storm with 105mph winds and torrential rain. The storm developed a well established eye just prior to landfall along the Mexican coast 100 miles south of Brownsville. One fatality has been reported in northern Mexico so far, but this storm is ongoing and flooding with mudslides will become a major issue along and south of the Rio Grand Valley this weekend. Alex has also severely disrupted the BP oil disaster cleanup effort in the Gulf of Mexico. Heavy rain and rough seas from feeder bands have been affecting the Louisiana and upper Texas coast all night.