Another snowy Monday morning commute in Montreal

Above the snowy construction zone on the approach to the new Iles-aux-Tourtes Bridge along Highway 40 in Senneville Monday morning. Roads are snow covered and extremely slipper, especially off island. The snow should taper off Monday morning after an additional 3-5cm. (Valley Weather)

Mother Nature seems to be dictating the terms this November, leaving meteorologists and us amateurs alike a little surprised at times. Over the weekend, more rain than freezing rain fell for most of us, despite expectations of up to 10mm of ice. In total, 8.6mm of liquid precipitation fell late Saturday into early Sunday, morning, followed by close to 5cm of snow for Montréal. Snowfall amounts were much higher east and northeast of the city, where 10 to 20cm fell.

The system in question is now located over Prince Edward Island, but the broad circulation around the deepening low pressure is driving cold northwest winds across the St. Lawrence Valley and Great Lakes, producing numerous snow showers. Some locations, especially around the Great Lakes and the upslope higher elevations of the Eastern Townships, Green Mountain and Adirondacks can expect in excess of 20cm of snow through Monday.

Here in Montreal, the snow has been steady early Monday morning, but should taper off quickly today, with perhaps another 3 to 5cm of snow expected for the city. Unless of course Mother Nature feels like adding more.

The result has been a very slick commute in the city, with numerous accidents reported once again. One accident on the South Shore along Highway 30, resulted in a terrible commute from Chateauguay and neighbouring communities. Roads have been snow covered, especially off island. Visibility is also reduced at times in blowing and drifting snow, as winds gust from the northwest 30-50km/h. The winds will remain gusty into this evening. Temperatures will hover around the freezing point all day.

The message is always the same if you must drive, clean your windows and slow down. Winter tires are essential now, and mandatory in Quebec as of December 1st.