Chilly start to April to continue across most of Canada

I would like to express my deepest condolences to the residents of Humboldt and the province of Saskatchewan. I was saddened to hear the news of the terrible accident involving the Broncos hockey club. I wish the players, families and first responders strength and courage as they begin the long recovery process.

Strong winds in east end Montreal, toppled this sign onto several cars Wednesday night, April 4. The wind cut power to nearly 50,000 customers in Quebec. (Radio Canada Photo)

April Chill
The miserably cold start to April continues across most of Canada. From coast to coast, Canadians are dealing with cold and snow. The low on Friday morning in Edmonton was a bone-chilling -25C (-13F), the coldest since 1975. The storm on April 4 produced over 25mm of rain in Montreal, but the fierce winds were the real story. Gusts exceeded 90km/h in many parts of Ontario and Quebec, with a peak gust of 89km/h recorded at both Trudeau Airport and south shore St Hubert. In Ontario, the strongest wind was at Point Petre, at 102km/h. In New York, 75mph winds were recorded east of Lake Erie, while a gust to 100mph was measured on Mount Mansfield in Vermont.The wind knocked power out to thousands, including 50,000 in Quebec. There was also reports of structural and tree damage. Heavy snow fell northeast of Montreal, with 27cm at Quebec City. Blowing snow closed Highway 20 east of Quebec City to Riviere-du-Loup.

A tree lies across a house in western New York on April 4. (AccuWeather.com)

Cold, blustery weather followed the storm, with a high in Montreal of only -3C (27F) on Thursday, 4C (39F) Friday and a windy 3C (38F) Saturday. The average high for this time of year should be 9C (48F). Snow showers have been accompanying the cold, making it feel like February.

As we look ahead to the upcoming week, the picture looks the same for southern Quebec and Ontario. Expect below normal temperatures with periods of showers or flurries scattered through the week. At best, high temperatures may reach 7C (45F), still well below normal. Overnight lows will dip below freezing. At this rate, the icy piles of dirty snow still around, may last into May. I just want to rake my lawn!