The October temperature roller coaster ride continues

A tradition of mine that goes back years is to take a photo with the date of the first frost each year. Over the years, it has been as early as September and most recently as late as mid-November. This year was right around the average here on Ile Perrot, last Thursday, October 17, when the temperatures dipped to 0C (32F) at my home. More frost is expected by next Monday, but the growing season has officially come to end for our region for 2024. 

At times this month the weather has resembled that of an actual October in Montreal. Other days, we have had summerlike temperatures, that would include Wednesday, when highs sat just below the 1979 record of 25C (77F). I recorded 24.7C (76F) at my home on Ile Perrot, with the warmest air in the country located across eastern Ontario and southwestern Quebec along the St. Lawrence Valley. Gusty southwest winds ahead of a cold front, helped to boost the mercury. It was the fourth day in a row of 20C plus temperatures and the 7th time in October. The normal high should be 12C (54F), with a low of 3C (38F).

Spectacular weather and bursting colours reaching peak, allowed for great foliage viewing this past weekend across southwestern Quebec. Gusty winds up to 60km/h and cooler overnight temperatures are starting to strip the leaves form the trees as we pass peak viewing here in Montreal. 

The warm temperatures followed a week where many locations had thick frost and freezing temperatures, with snow falling across the mountain tops. That brings us to this morning. A potent cold front moved through the region late Wednesday and overnight, with some showers, but mostly a wind shift to the northwest and dropping temperatures. Montreal is currently 7C (45F) and will warm only slightly today to around 10C (50F) with clearing skies. Moderate winds will make it feel quite cold outdoors, especially after our summer warmth of late.

The cold air is with us for the weekend, reinforced by another cold front Saturday. We will likely have more frost again Sunday night. The cold will not last long as the roller coaster ride persists. Another warm front late Tuesday will push highs again to or even above 20C by next Wednesday.

At this time we are looking at a breezy Halloween, with mild temperatures and perhaps a shower or two, but the forecast is a week out and the timing of the weather systems may change. Only slightly cooler air is anticipated for the start of November, as our very mild and dry fall continues.

Speaking of precipitation, only 1-2mm of rain fell on Wednesday afternoon, bringing the monthly total to 17.4mm. Normal rainfall for October in Montreal should be 89.1mm. Montreal had a record-breaking wet summer, but only 70mm of rain has been measured since September 1st.