Snowfall warning in effect for Montreal and southern Quebec

April snowstorms are quite common in Montreal, including the photo above taken on April 4, 2015. This is why I encourage drivers to keep their snow tires on through April 15. The upcoming Nor'Easter is set to bring 15-20cm of wet snow to southern Quebec tonight into Thursday. (Photo: Valley Weather) 

Widespread weather warnings are in effect for heavy snow and strong winds across Ontario and Quebec, as a late season winter storm bears down on the region. Low pressure over the Great Lakes will slowly move east, while a second stronger storm develops near the Jersey shore and moves north into Massachusetts. 

Rain will develop Wednesday afternoon in Montreal and change to wet snow late in the evening. The snow will become heavy at times into Thursday. Total storm accumulations will range from near 10cm over the Ottawa Valley, up to 20cm in the greater Montreal region and possibly in excess of 30cm across the higher elevations of the Eastern Townships, northern New England and upstate New York.

Temperatures are very mild Wednesday, at 10C (50F) in Montreal, but will drop quickly late today as the coastal storm develops and becomes the main system. Strong northeast winds will gust as high as 70km/h in the St. Lawrence Valley creating areas of blowing snow overnight and Thursday. Power outages will be possible due to the weight of the snow combined with the strong winds.

Thursday will not be a good day on the roads, with rapidly falling snow and cold daytime temperatures around the freezing point. Conditions will slowly improve Friday as precipitation tapers off to flurries and temperatures warm above freezing.

Snowfall warnings are in place across southwestern Quebec and eastern Ontario, with winter storm warnings across northern New York and New England.