Freezing rain to rain for Montreal

Travel delays again at Trudeau Airport this morning as freezing rain delays flights. (CJAD Photo)

A freezing rain warning remains in effect this morning for Montreal and points north. Freezing rain has been falling in Montreal and Ottawa since early this morning. It should change to rain shortly in Montreal where the temperature is just nudging above the freezing point. The current reading at my home here on L'Ile Perrot in the heart of the St. Lawrence Valley is 0.6C (33F). It will remain icy for several hours as the ground is frozen solid. Eventually milder air and steadier rain will begin to melt some of the ice. The freezing rain is causing more travel problems with roads closed in Vermont, travel not recommended for the time being in St. Lawrence County, New York, and Trudeau Airport in Montreal reporting delays and cancellations.

Flooding will be an issue in portions of Ontario, southern Quebec and New England for the next 24 hours. Between 15-25 mm (0.5-1") of rain combined with very mild temperatures of 8 to 10C (48-50F) and snow melt will increase water runoff into rivers and lakes. Be very careful around them and watch for rising water as well as street flooding where sewers and downspouts are blocked by snow and ice. It will remain wet and foggy overnight along with increasing southwest winds up to 70km/h as a cold front crosses the area. Sunday will be cloudy with temperatures dropping to the freezing point and some flurries around.