Welcome to meteorological fall

A NOAA satellite image taken Wednesday showing the remains tropical depression Ida over the northeastern US. With the exception of a few high clouds, most of the sensible weather will remain well south of Montreal and Quebec. Ida will likely spread rain into Atlantic Canada by Friday. After devastating the Louisiana Gulf Coast, Ida has produced flash flooding and tornadoes along the storms entire path through the Tennessee and Ohio Valleys. (NOAA)

Fall, at least according to meteorologists, has arrived. September 1st marks the the first day of meteorological fall, the celestial equivalent will arrive on Wednesday, September 22. So statistically speaking, the warmest three months of the year are behind us. It was an odd summer for sure, a rather coolish July, bookended by two scorching dry months and very little thunderstorm activity in Montreal.

Taking a brief look at August, it was hot and dry in Montreal. The average temperature was 23.6C (74.5F), well above the normal of 20.1C (68.2F). Total rainfall was 36.1mm, which is significantly below the long-term average of 94.1mm. For the year, Montreal has received 476.7mm of precipitation, which is 73% of normal to August 31. We managed two distinct heatwaves resulting in 13 days over 30C (86F). Dozens of new temperature, dew point and humidity records were established in August at Trudeau Airport.

We are off to an average start in September, with partly sunny skies and high temperatures expected in the low to middle 20s through Saturday. The dry weather will persist, with no precipitation expected until Sunday at the earliest.

A National Guard convoy rolls through the New Orleans suburb of LaPlace on Monday looking for victims of the fierce hurricane. (NOLA.com)

Hurricane Ida

The remains of Hurricane Ida, now a depression with 30 mph winds, are moving through the northeast US today and Thursday. All the weather associated with Ida will remain well south of Montreal, with partly cloudy skies expected this afternoon from the northern edge of the cloud shield associated with Ida. Ida is expected to produce heavy rain and flash flooding across portions of the northeast and southern New England, including metropolitan New York City. 

In Louisiana, the clean up is underway after Ida produced catastrophic wind damage and widespread flooding. Damage is estimated in the billions, with many homes destroyed and no running water available in many locations. This is especially true in the Parishes south of New Orleans towards the Gulf of Mexico. Over 1 million homes remain without power, with crews from 22 states arriving to assist in the restoration. The National Guard and FEMA are on the ground helping residents. All this is taking place as temperatures soar over 90F (32C), with heat index values over 100F (37C).