Another surge of hot - humid air for Montreal this weekend

Very hot and humid weather will blanket the entire eastern seaboard this weekend, including Montreal. (AccuWeather Image)

We are expecting another surge of heat and humidity across southern Quebec this weekend, it what is quickly becoming a torrid summer. Early Friday morning, a warm front is lifting across the St. Lawrence Valley, accompanied by clouds and showers. There is even a rumble or two of thunder here on Ile Perrot. Even if I could not hear it myself, I know because my furry barometer is under my desk. The showers and storms will persist through the mid-morning before tapering off.

Total precipitation won't amount to much, perhaps 10mm, but we need the rain. Only 21mm has fallen at Trudeau Airport in July, well below normal for the third consecutive month.We have a general watering ban in place here on Ile Perrot, but that does not stop some neighbours on my street from running their sprinkler system all night, despite the rain. But I digress. There may be restrictions as well in other municipalities, so check with your city or town.

As the front clears southern Quebec by Friday afternoon, it will set the stage for a very hot, tropical weekend. We will likely reach 30C (86F) Friday, as the skies clear. On Saturday, expect hazy sunshine, elevated humidity levels, and highs approaching 32C (90F). The overnight period into Sunday will be hot, with temperatures only settling into the 23 to 25C (73-77F) range. Sunday will be hot and oppressively humid, with daytime highs into the middle 30s, perhaps reaching our third 36C (97F) temperature this summer here in Montreal. Humidex values will rise into the 40s. 

Some relief arrives Sunday night, as a cold front moves across the region. Strong thunderstorms are expected into early Monday morning. Slightly cooler air returns to start next week. Many readers will be on vacation next week, so if you are enjoy and be safe. Keep an eye to the sky if outside and remember when the thunder roars, go indoors.

Record-breaking heat expected in Montreal to end the week

A tropical airmass over Montreal is expected to prevail into the weekend, with hot and humid weather forecast. A heat warning is in effect for the city.

Strong thunderstorms are expected this afternoon in Montreal as a very hot and humid tropical air mass remains in place across eastern Ontario and southern Quebec. Many locations in Ontario and Quebec, including Toronto and Ottawa, have been above 30C for daily highs since July began. Montreal has exceeded 30C each day except once when we hit 29C.

The heat is expected to intensify as we end the week, with all-time July monthly records expected to be challenged on Friday. On Wednesday, a few pre-dawn thunderstorms rumbled around the Montreal region, before skies cleared somewhat and the heat and humidity built. Tropical humidity levels are present in Montreal Wednesday afternoon, and more thunderstorms are likely over the next few hours. Some of the storms may be rather strong, with heavy rain and gusty winds the main threat. High temperatures will reach into the low 30s once again.

Thursday and Friday will feature very warm, humid air, with hazy skies and temperatures into the middle 30s. The high on Friday is forecast to be 36C (97F), which would be the warmest July temperature on record for Montreal, surpassing the previous high of  35.6C (96F) set on July 17th, 1953.

The warmest temperature ever in the city was set on Friday, August 1, 1975, in the middle of a 5 day heatwave, at 37.6C (99.7F). We have an outside shot at the all-time record. I remember the 75 heatwave well, my dad finally gave in to the kids and mom, and we purchased our first pool. 

Relief will arrive in the form of showers and thunderstorms by Saturday. A tropical system is expected to develop along the eastern seaboard and move northeast towards New England. The system may push enough moisture northward for some decent rain over the weekend. If the storm develops it will be named Fay, the sixth system of the young hurricane season. Already, this is the earliest in any season on record that the Atlantic basin has reach the "E" named storm.

The heatwave is extensive, reaching from the middle portion of the US into the Great Lakes and northeast. Heat warnings and advisories are widespread, including a large portion of eastern Canada form central Ontario into Quebec.

From twitter, a spectacular shot of a wide tornado on the ground near Glenbain, Saskatchewan last Saturday. The storm was one of at least three tornadoes reported in the province. Damage occurred, but thankfully no injuries were reported.

Saskatchewan Tornado

One final note, on Saturday afternoon, strong thunderstorms produced several tornadoes in southern Saskatchewan, very close to where I lived from 1997 to 2000. The strongest tornado occurred south of Gravelbourg and east of Glenbain, damaging a farm and some silos as well as several vehicles. Two other tornadoes associated with the same supercell thunderstorm were reported near Kincaid and Assiniboia. Large hail also accompanied the storm. Environment Canada is still investigating the strength of the storms. Thankfully no injuries were reported.