Powerful east coast storm

A plume of moisture stretches from a major storm east of Florida northward well into southern Quebec. Below: Storm clouds gather to the south of the island of Montreal. SB pic

HEAVY RAINFALL WARNING
Metro Montreal
The remains of tropical storm Nicole (that developed and dissipated yesterday), a frontal boundary and strong low pressure off the Florida coast are morphing into a strong fall storm along the eastern Seaboard. A variety of warnings and watches stretch from Ontario and Quebec south towards the Florida coast. The hardest hit regions so far have been the Carolina's north towards the middle Atlantic. The heavy rain has produced major flooding in North Carolina, with a three day rain total in excess of 20 inches in Wilmington. This morning a tornado watch is in effect for a large swath of the middle Atlantic region as clusters of thunderstorms swirl in off the Atlantic with some rotation possible. The Outer Banks will be hammered today with high surf, ocean overwash and coastal flooding. Wind warnings are also in effect from central New York southward.

For upstate New York, Vermont, southwest Quebec and extreme eastern Ontario, the rain will begin shortly and continue through mid day Friday. The heaviest rain is still well to our south but expected to arrive during the day today. Heavy rain warnings are in effect for all of southern Quebec and from Cornwall and Lancaster east in Ontario. Expect 50-80mm (2-3 inches) of rain in the next 24-36 hours. Some flooding is possible especially in metro regions. Across New York and Vermont, flash flood watches are in effect. Minor to moderate flooding along area waterways is possible today according to the NWS in Burlington. Numerous flight delays and ground stops are already occurring along the east coast of the US.