Tranquil weather allows flood waters to recede

The flood waters shown above in Sherbrooke on Wednesday have now receded with roads reopened and residents returning to begin the clean up. (CBC News)

Much quieter weather is on tap for this Easter weekend across southern Quebec as well as southeast Ontario and New England. A cold front is moving across the St. Lawrence Valley early this morning with clouds and an isolated shower or snowflake occurring. Skies will clear out early with sunshine dominating the weather today and Sunday. Temperatures will be cool today, near 8C, and downright cold tonight with lows in the -5 to -10C range. Sunday will be much warmer with highs up to 16C. The good news is the cooler weather has allowed the flood waters in many southern Quebec communities to recede and for residents to begin the clean up. Hard hit cities like Sherbrooke and Lennoxville had the water drop several feet in just a few hours on Thursday.

One waterway that is still on the rise is Lake Champlain, which flows north into the Richilieu River. It typically floods later in response to all the flood-waters entering it from the smaller tributaries as well as melting snow in the Adirondacks and Green Mountains. Early this morning, Lake Champlain at Rouses Point on the Quebec border is at 100.4 feet. Flooding starts at 100 feet. A flood warning is in effect for Lake Champlain, and this water flows north into southern Quebec. A flood watch remains in effect from Urgence Quebec for the Richilieu River as well as several other southern Quebec rivers. The Chaudiere River near Megantic is still on the rise with moderate flooding reported. Otherwise all other rivers are stabilizing with only minor flooding reported including Lake of Two Mountains here in metro Montreal.
The good news is no major rain is forecast through Monday with the next precipitation forecast for Tuesday.