An early taste of fall weather for southern Quebec

Another rainbow in the skies over Montreal as our wet summer continues. Skies will begin to slowly clear on Thursday, with a return to more summer-like temperatures this weekend as highs rise into the middle and upper 20s. (Valley Weather Photo)

Our super wet summer persists across southern Quebec, with another 25-50mm of rain falling on the region since Monday. The culprit this time, a potent upper level low that is slowly drifting across the region with showers, thunderstorms and unseasonably cold temperatures. It has provided Montreal with a very early taste of fall weather. I have even seen a hint of colour in some of the trees as the days begin to shorten.

The high temperature failed to reach 21C (70F) in Montreal on Tuesday afternoon, the first time since June 10. We are sitting at a very cool and wet 14C (56F) as I write this blog Wednesday morning, and temperatures will not budge too much today. Adding to the fall-like feel will be rounds of rain, some of it rather heavy at times across southwestern Quebec and eastern Ontario. Another 15-25mm of rain is quite possible today, with highs struggling to reach 16C (60F), well-below the normal high of 24C (76F).

Since Monday, 47mm of rain has fallen at my home on Ile Perrot, with my monthly total now sitting at 233.8mm and counting. Slightly less at Trudeau, with 196mm, owing to the fact the airport received less rain during tropical storm Debby on August 9. The all-time record for the entire month of August is 224.8mm set in 2011. While many parts of the city, including here on Ile Perrot have already surpassed that amount, we will have to see if it is officially broken at the airport.

Expect one more cold and wet day Wednesday, before the upper level low slides to the east, and high pressure begins to move in. That will allow for pleasant weather beginning Thursday afternoon and lasting though the weekend. We can also expect temperatures to rise into the middle and eventually upper 20s by Sunday, as summer weather returns. The next chance for showers and thunderstorms won't be until Monday.