Late season winter storm brings tornadoes, blizzards, flooding and record warmth

A Missouri State Highway Patrol Police cruiser illuminates the immediate aftermath of a powerful tornado, still visible in the background, near Bakersfield, Missouri. Three fatalities were reported form this storm, with 35 across the US from dozens of tornadoes since Friday evening. The same system produced record warmth in southern Ontario and Quebec. (Missouri State Highway Patrol Photo)

A powerful late season winter storm is lifting into the Great Lakes on Sunday afternoon, dragging a potent cold front across eastern Ontario and eventually southwestern Quebec. The storm has been responsible for numerous fatalities as it moved northward. A wide range of weather has accompanied the storm, from dust storms and hurricane force winds, to wildfires, tornadoes, flash flooding and even heavy snow along the western edge.

The heavy snow and strong winds are impacting parts of central Ontario on Sunday. Meanwhile here in southern Quebec, record warmth has spread into the region. On Saturday, Montreal reached 17.3C (63F), shattering the 1913 record for the date of 12.8C (55F). So far on Sunday, we have tied the 2010 record, currently at 13.1C at Trudeau Airport. The hot spot in the Quebec on Saturday was 19.4C (67F) at Beauceville.

South of the border, an intense outbreak of severe weather resulted in dozens of tornadoes across several states from Missouri to Pennsylvania and south to the Gulf Coast. Nearly 35 deaths occurred from the tornados, with a least a dozen more form major car accidents as a result of blowing dust in Texas and Kansas. Damage is complete in many small communities form powerful tornadoes, including Bakersfield, Missouri, Diaz and Cave City in Arkansas.

In our region, the very warm temperatures, melting snow and ice along with today's rainfall, is raising concern for river flooding. Several rivers in the region are on the rise and being watched closely.

There is a risk of a few showers and thunderstorms Sunday afternoon in southern Quebec, along with gusty winds up to 60km/h. The cold front will clear the region overnight, setting us up for clearing skies on Monday, along with more seasonable temperatures. The high is forecast to be only 2C (35F). Monday night will be quite chilly, dropping own to -8C (18F). The middle portion of the week will see mild temperatures return, along with showers.