Montreal on northern edge of late season winter storm

Spring arrived on Tuesday evening and along with it came the coldest air this March. The high temperature remained below freezing in Montreal on Thursday for the first time this month. Gusty west winds over 60km/h resulted in windchill values in the minus teens. Several snow squalls accompanied the cold air late Wednesday afternoon. (Valley Weather Photo)

Widespread winter storm warnings are in effect along the Canada/US border in New York and Vermont for a potent late season winter storm. However at this time, it appears the heaviest snow will remain south and east of the Montreal region.

A very complex storm system will impact the weather across southern Quebec and New England late Friday into early Sunday. Snow is likely, with Montreal remaining on the northern edge of the storm. Friday will be sunny but cold once again, with high temperatures around -2C (28F). We start the day with one of the coldest mornings of the year so far at -10C (14F) here on Ile Perrot. Thursday's high of -3C (27F) was the coldest of March to date, a strong indication of just how warm it has been. The wind was brutal Thursday, gusting over 60km/h and producing windchill values in the minus teens.

After our sunny, chilly Friday, clouds will increase, as low pressure approaches from the Great Lakes, along with a second storm moving along the eastern seaboard. Snow will spread north and east across eastern Ontario late today and into southern Quebec overnight into Saturday. The heaviest snow will fall from the US border into central Vermont as well as portions of the Eastern Townships. 

At this time, up to 5cm is possible for Montreal, with 10cm along the Seaway and towards the US border. Up to 20cm is possible in Sherbrooke and points south. Amounts increase significantly across New York and Vermont, including Burlington, where 20-30cm is possible. The snow will end Saturday afternoon in Montreal. Winds will remain rather light throughout the storm, with temperatures below freezing for the duration. The low Friday night will be -7C (19F), with a cold high of -4C (26F) expected Saturday.

Milder air and sunshine will be back by Sunday and into the start of the new work week.