Significant heatwave expected for Montreal

A cold front produced strong thunderstorms Thursday afternoon and evening across parts of central and eastern Ontario as well as far western Quebec. Some damage was reported, including the downed tree shown above in Augusta Township. There were even several tornado watches posted north and wets of Gatineau. Montreal only received a few evening showers from the same front. (OPP East Photo)

Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for high heat and humidity next week. This will likely be upgraded to heat advisories/warnings as the event draws closer.

A cold front on Thursday produced some widely scattered thunderstorms across southern and western Quebec. Most of the severe weather remained across far western Quebec and Ontario. There were even tornado watches and warnings issued north and west of Ottawa and Gatineau.

After a rather chilly and at times showery week, we are looking at a spectacular Father's Day weekend. High pressure will dominate, with bright sunshine and seasonable temperatures across southern Quebec. Winds will be light and the humidity will remain low. High temperatures will be in the low to middle 20s, with lows in the teens. Enjoy it.

Starting Monday, we have a significant 3-4 day heatwave forecast for most of eastern North America. Record highs will be in jeopardy across a wide region including southern Ontario and Quebec as well as New England. A Bermuda high will pump increasingly hot and humid tropical air northward. As the the heat dome expands, high temperatures will climb into the middle 30s in Montreal, along with elevated humidity and dew points, producing humidex values over 40C.

Record highs in Montreal will be challenged from Monday through Wednesday at the very least. Overnight lows will remain very warm and uncomfortable, staying in the 20s. As far as the all-time record high is concerned, time will tell. The temperature to beat from Trudeau Airport in Dorval is 37.6C (99.7F), set on August 1, 1975.

If you need to have your air conditioning installed or serviced, now is the time to do it. Montreal has already recorded one heatwave this year with the summer season just beginning.