Smoking-hot summer continues in Montreal

The sun rises on another 30C day in Montreal on Saturday, July 25. We have already tied the record for the most 30C days in any year and it is only July. (ValleyWeather Photo)

Saturday was the 21st day of 2020 that the mercury has surpassed 30C (86F) in Montreal. On average we can expect less than 10 such days, but that number has been on the rise in recent years. That mark ties us for the most 30C days in any given year set just two years ago in 2018. A record that was established in mid-September of that year, we are only in July. The record will be broken today, with a forecast high of 33C (92F) for Montreal. Along with the heat, we will see a spike in humidity levels Sunday. Afternoon humidex values are expected to surpass 40C across many locations in southwestern Quebec and eastern Ontario. Widespread heat warnings are in effect.

Sunday morning is windy and warm in Montreal, with southwest winds pulling in the moist, tropical air. Trudeau Airport is already at 23C (73F), our overnight low for the day. Winds will persist all day, in the 30-50km/h range. Expect hazy, hot and humid weather Sunday and Monday, with the risk of afternoon showers and thunderstorms both days. Any storms will be capable of very heavy rainfall, as the air is saturated with humidity.

By Tuesday, less oppressive conditions are expected, with lower humidity levels and cooler temperatures. There will still be a chance for afternoon showers, but the weather should be dry most of the time. The closer-to-normal weather will persist for most of this upcoming week, with highs in the upper 20s.

Flood waters from the Gulf of Mexico surge into Coastal Texas as Hurricane Hana moved inland on Saturday, July 25th. (Corpus Christie Caller-Times)

Hurricane Hana
The record-breaking 8th tropical system of the Atlantic hurricane season, became the first hurricane on Saturday as Hana moved across the Gulf of Mexico and into south Texas. The storm over performed, becoming a strong category 1 hurricane, with 90mph (150km/h) winds. The canter made landfall around 5pm Saturday on Padre Island, Texas. A surge of 3 to 5 feet produced coastal flooding, along with up to 250mm of rain. There was widespread minor to at times moderate damage reported along the coast. Over 250,000 homes and businesses lost power. Hana has weakened to a tropical storm while moving inland across northeast Mexico. Flash flooding is expected across the Rio Grand Valley today.

Hana is the earliest 8th named storm on record for the Atlantic basin. The season runs from June to November, typically peaking in September. The next storm is already on the horizon, beginning to develop across the far eastern Atlantic. Over the next few days, the wave is expected to become a tropical depression while heading west towards the Caribbean Sea.

Another surge of hot - humid air for Montreal this weekend

Very hot and humid weather will blanket the entire eastern seaboard this weekend, including Montreal. (AccuWeather Image)

We are expecting another surge of heat and humidity across southern Quebec this weekend, it what is quickly becoming a torrid summer. Early Friday morning, a warm front is lifting across the St. Lawrence Valley, accompanied by clouds and showers. There is even a rumble or two of thunder here on Ile Perrot. Even if I could not hear it myself, I know because my furry barometer is under my desk. The showers and storms will persist through the mid-morning before tapering off.

Total precipitation won't amount to much, perhaps 10mm, but we need the rain. Only 21mm has fallen at Trudeau Airport in July, well below normal for the third consecutive month.We have a general watering ban in place here on Ile Perrot, but that does not stop some neighbours on my street from running their sprinkler system all night, despite the rain. But I digress. There may be restrictions as well in other municipalities, so check with your city or town.

As the front clears southern Quebec by Friday afternoon, it will set the stage for a very hot, tropical weekend. We will likely reach 30C (86F) Friday, as the skies clear. On Saturday, expect hazy sunshine, elevated humidity levels, and highs approaching 32C (90F). The overnight period into Sunday will be hot, with temperatures only settling into the 23 to 25C (73-77F) range. Sunday will be hot and oppressively humid, with daytime highs into the middle 30s, perhaps reaching our third 36C (97F) temperature this summer here in Montreal. Humidex values will rise into the 40s. 

Some relief arrives Sunday night, as a cold front moves across the region. Strong thunderstorms are expected into early Monday morning. Slightly cooler air returns to start next week. Many readers will be on vacation next week, so if you are enjoy and be safe. Keep an eye to the sky if outside and remember when the thunder roars, go indoors.

Record-breaking heat expected in Montreal to end the week

A tropical airmass over Montreal is expected to prevail into the weekend, with hot and humid weather forecast. A heat warning is in effect for the city.

Strong thunderstorms are expected this afternoon in Montreal as a very hot and humid tropical air mass remains in place across eastern Ontario and southern Quebec. Many locations in Ontario and Quebec, including Toronto and Ottawa, have been above 30C for daily highs since July began. Montreal has exceeded 30C each day except once when we hit 29C.

The heat is expected to intensify as we end the week, with all-time July monthly records expected to be challenged on Friday. On Wednesday, a few pre-dawn thunderstorms rumbled around the Montreal region, before skies cleared somewhat and the heat and humidity built. Tropical humidity levels are present in Montreal Wednesday afternoon, and more thunderstorms are likely over the next few hours. Some of the storms may be rather strong, with heavy rain and gusty winds the main threat. High temperatures will reach into the low 30s once again.

Thursday and Friday will feature very warm, humid air, with hazy skies and temperatures into the middle 30s. The high on Friday is forecast to be 36C (97F), which would be the warmest July temperature on record for Montreal, surpassing the previous high of  35.6C (96F) set on July 17th, 1953.

The warmest temperature ever in the city was set on Friday, August 1, 1975, in the middle of a 5 day heatwave, at 37.6C (99.7F). We have an outside shot at the all-time record. I remember the 75 heatwave well, my dad finally gave in to the kids and mom, and we purchased our first pool. 

Relief will arrive in the form of showers and thunderstorms by Saturday. A tropical system is expected to develop along the eastern seaboard and move northeast towards New England. The system may push enough moisture northward for some decent rain over the weekend. If the storm develops it will be named Fay, the sixth system of the young hurricane season. Already, this is the earliest in any season on record that the Atlantic basin has reach the "E" named storm.

The heatwave is extensive, reaching from the middle portion of the US into the Great Lakes and northeast. Heat warnings and advisories are widespread, including a large portion of eastern Canada form central Ontario into Quebec.

From twitter, a spectacular shot of a wide tornado on the ground near Glenbain, Saskatchewan last Saturday. The storm was one of at least three tornadoes reported in the province. Damage occurred, but thankfully no injuries were reported.

Saskatchewan Tornado

One final note, on Saturday afternoon, strong thunderstorms produced several tornadoes in southern Saskatchewan, very close to where I lived from 1997 to 2000. The strongest tornado occurred south of Gravelbourg and east of Glenbain, damaging a farm and some silos as well as several vehicles. Two other tornadoes associated with the same supercell thunderstorm were reported near Kincaid and Assiniboia. Large hail also accompanied the storm. Environment Canada is still investigating the strength of the storms. Thankfully no injuries were reported.

Yet another heatwave on the horizon for Montreal

Enjoy the sunny, warm weather on this Canada Day in Montreal. Prepare for another long stretch of hot weather in southern Quebec, with daytime highs at or above 30C (86F) for at least the next week. Rainfall has been spotty at best and many municipalities are asking that you conserve water and avoid unnecessary use.

Happy Canada Day!

A stubborn upper-level low pressure system has been spinning from the Great Lakes into eastern New England since this past Saturday. It has been a repeat performance of weather on a daily basis with clouds, clear breaks, showers, thunderstorms and plenty of humidity. The bulk of the rain and storms Tuesday and again today Canada Day, are east and southeast of metro Montreal. Areas across Vermont and the Townships have had decent rainfall, upwards of 25mm, while Montreal has only reported spotty precipitation. The biggest storms in Montreal occurred last Sunday, when 5 to 10mm fell in parts of the city, including here on Ile Perrot.

Conserve Water
The rain was welcome, but conditions remain dry, with only 46.4mm of rain reported at Trudeau Airport for the month of June. That is a little more than half the normal amount of 87 mm. The region remains dry, as the precipitation has been highly variable from location to location. Unfortunately we are in for another long stretch of relatively dry, hot weather. The word is conserve. Most municipalities have issued watering bans or restrictions. We need to do our part as the next two weeks are looking dry and hot. Temperatures will rise into the low 30s from today through next Wednesday and perhaps longer. We may see an isolated thunderstorm Thursday afternoon and evening, but other than that threat, no appreciable rain is in our future. Strong hot high pressure building over the US plains will begin to nose into the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley over the coming days. Any rain will likely remain east of Montreal.

Hot June
Montreal reached the 30C (86F) plateau eight times in June, including seven days over 32C (90F). Normally the city reaches 30C only nine times over the course of the entire year. The long strech of 30C weather pushed the monthly mean temperature to 20.1C (68.2F), above the long-term average of 18.6C (67.3F).