Maggie B. Photo of a Leeds & Grenville County road crew

plowing the traffic circle on Hwy 43 in Kemptville.

5pm Storm Update

A mix of freezing rain, sleet and snow continues across eastern Ontario at 5pm. Winter Storm Warnings remain in effect for all regions until overnight when they will expire. Total snowfall so far is around 12cm in Kemptville with sleet, 15cm in Ottawa and 11cm in Toronto. Eastern Ontario will contiue to see the heaviest precipitation well into this evening with another 10-15cm of snow/sleet expected. In addition winds are gusting from 30-50km/h causing blowing snow. The storm is over Lake Erie and moving northeast towards Montreal.

Storm Update to 10:49am

The heavy snow is just about into North Grenville. The snow began around 8:30 this morning and has been light. However heavy snow at the rate of 2cm or more an hour is just to our southwest. Both Kingston and Watertown, NY are down to less than 1km visibility in Heavy Snow.
Winds are gusty out of the east at 20-40km/h and will increase. Roads are snow covered and slippery and will not improve for the rest of the day. The snow will mix with freezing rain along the 401 this afternoon.

Winter storm on our doorstep

A major winter strom has begun over southern Ontario and is progressing northeast. Heavy snow and freezing rain are forecast today in a wide swath from south of the lakes to Quebec and New England. Weather Warnings are in place in all areas and extended travel is not recomended. At least one inch or 25mm of precipitation is expected in varying forms. If your area remains as snow, like Ottawa a 25-30cm snowfall is forecast. Areas that mix with and change to sleet and freezing rain will have less. There is great concern with this system that more than half of the precip may fall as freezing rain. The duration and intensity of the freezing rain in places along the 401 and near Niagra may be heavy enough to cause some damage.

Travel with great care today or avoid till tomorrow along the 401/416/20 and 417 corridors. If travelling south the same applies till you reach the Pennsylvania border.

In all areas winds will be gusty out of the northeast from 40-70km/h.

Photo by Kevin Farnsworth of PEI Ice Storm

Winter Storm Warning in effect...

Low pressure developing over the deep southern US will move northeast and slide south of the St. Lawrence River tomorrow. Deep moisture accompanying the storm will overspread all areas early tomorrow morning and become heavy at times. A general snowfall of 10-20cm is expected in Kemptville, Ottawa, The Seaway and Montreal before the precipitation mixes with or changes to freezing rain. Winds will be gusty out of the east & southeast at speeds of up to 70km/h. Travel be be extremely difficult in all areas tomorrow.

Another storm on the way...

After the wind and ice of yesterday, another winter storm is poised to hit Ontario Friday. A WINTER STORM WATCH has been posted for all of southern Ontario including Kemptville and southern Quebec as well. Snow will spread from west to east Friday becoming heavy in the afternoon. Freezing Rain and sleet are possible along the 401 corridor. Estimates currently are for 15-25cm of snow. The exact track of the storm will determine where warnings are needed later today. Tomorrow will be another difficult travel day in our area, plan your driving accordingly.

Meanwhile it was -59C in Uranium City, Sask yesterday, not a mistake or with the wind, for the coldest temperature on the continent. The extreme cold will ease in the southern Prairies today.

Above: PEI is in a state of emergency after two days of freezing rain. Power lines, poles and trees have toppled. Power is out to a major portion of the island and shelters have been set up.

Gusts to 100km/h knocked over this truck on the New York State Thruway

Squalls continue...


The winds continue to howl across Ontario and Quebec as well as New York State today. As of 4pm wind warnings remain in effect in Lanark, Leeds and Grenville. Snow squalls have been affecting our area all day with the most intense along the 401 from Cornwall to Trenton. These should subside later today. They are also occurring along I-81 near Watertown and in the Buffalo area. Lake shore flooding that occurred in Buffalo and Niagara has also began to recede as winds taper.

Hydro One is reporting 16,000 without power in the province down from 50,000 earlier today.

Our attention will now turn to the next developing storm that could bring snow to our area by Friday. A general 10-20cm may fall. More details tomorrow morning.

Squalls put down 2-5cm of snow in Kemptville today.

Prescott Street at 9am as the front raced through.

Now the wind and snow

The warm air finally, but briefly invaded Kemptville this morning, not before yours truly took a header on the ice. It was brief however because a line of snow and 60km/h winds has dropped temperatures back below freezing in Kemptville. We are currently at -2C and dropping.

The front has forced OPP to restrict travel across the International Bridges at both Cornwall and Ogdensburg. Trucks that are empty, have tarps, busses, cube vans, or high profiles are not being allowed across at this time.

Impressive winds and temperature drops have occurred along the frontal passage. In Windsor it was plus 9C at midnight and dropped to -13C in a few hours with drifting snow and 65km/h winds. In Port Colborne, the wind howled out of the southwest at more than 125km/h. Warnings remain posted. It will be an icy slow day province wide, so travel with care. Power is also out to over 50,000 homes according to Hydro One.

Below: Kansas City, MO. is in the teens Fahrenheit

while St Louis, MO. hit a record high of 73F.

A profile of a wicked cold front.

School Buses cancelled SD&G and Lanark, Leeds & Grenville
A mix of weather for the region

Cold air remains stubbornly in place this morning over the valley's of eastern Ontario and thus freezing rain continues to fall, in some cases quite heavily along an advancing arctic front. Kemptville is still at 0C and rain has been falling for several hours. The cold front is just to our west with damaging winds increasing to 60-100km/h and gusts to 120km/h expected along the shores of lakes Ontario and Erie.

A 10-15 degree temperature drop accompanies this front along with a rapid freeze and bursts of snow. Plan your travel accordingly today it will be nasty at times on area roads. There were several serious accidents yesterday as motorists did not adjust their speed to the icy roads.

High Wind Warning
Flash Freeze Warning... http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/warnings/report_e.html?onrm90

Flash Freeze and strong winds on the way

Cold air is having a difficult time this evening leaving the valley's of eastern Ontario. Therefore the Freezing Rain Warning remains posted for Ottawa. A new batch of rain from Michigan is sliding east and will enter the area later this evening. The temperature should slowly rise above the freezing mark this evening, briefly. Any precipitation that falls could freeze locally.
Icing this morning led to several serious accidents in the region Travel with care the remainder of the day. By morning a strong arctic front will be racing across Ontario with powerful winds and snow squalls. Winds will be in the 60-110km/h range with 60 or 70km/h winds expected in Kemptville. The front should arrive her by early morning. Behind the front temperatures will plummet to -10C or colder in just a few hours along with biting wind chills. Any snow that falls will be blown around reducing visibilities. The wind is expected to be strong enough to cause damage especially in the St. Lawrence Valley. Wind Warnings have been posted for all regions on both sides of the border as well as a flash freeze warning for southern and eastern Ontario. Travel will be poor especially for the first part of the day.

Freezing Rain & Wind for Kemptville

A Freezing Rain Warning has been posted for Kemptville as a band of precipitation slides east into the area this morning till about 11am or so. The freezing rain should last for several hours across the region. As the warm front lifts north any precipitation will taper to showers.

A strong arctic cold front will begin crossing the area overnight tonight and be accompanied by 60-100km/h winds and some snow. The front will be similar to the wind storm on January 9th that cut power to over 250,000 homes in the province. It should reach Kemptville by mid morning. Behind the front temperatures will plummet to -10C by the end of the day.

Blizzard across Prairies
Kemptville in store for freezing rain then wind

An arctic cold front is racing across the Prairies today with tremendous temperature drops and blizzard conditions. Winds are gusting to 70km/h producing white out conditions and dangerous wind chills. 5-10cm of snow is falling with this system. It has dropped from plus 2C in Swift Current to -28C with a windchill of -47C. The dangerous front is racing across Saskatchewan after plunging Alberta into the arctic deep freeze. Temperatures are in the middle -30's in Alberta. Next in line will be Manitoba where warnings have been posted.

The leading edge of the system will bring Freezing Rain to parts of Ontario tomorrow. Warnings are expected to be posted in our area shortly after being issued for central and southern Ontario at 3pm. The rest of the week will be active with a strong windstorm possible along the arctic boundary on Wednesday followed by snow Friday. The winds may be as strong as the January 9th windstorm that produced damage, accidents and power outages.
Stay tuned for more exact details later this evening or early tomorrow morning. Watch the links on the left for any WARNINGS.

The wreckage on the 401 westbound at Morrisburg, ON as captured by our

Iroquois Chieftain Editor Joe Morin. More photos will be in next weeks issue.

401 accident claims life of driver

A nasty accident on the 401 has claimed the life of a truck driver. The wreck involved 5 transports just after midnight this morning in the 401 westbound lanes 3km from Morrisburg. OPP are on the scene and the highway is closed between Mosrrisburg and Iroquois indefinitely. Detours are in place on County Road 2. Investigators are on the scene. The weather at the time was clear and cold. No other details are available at this time.

Kemptville yesterday in 10cm of snow

Lake Snows slide south


The heavy lake effect snows that had closed the 401 yesterday and gave over 10cm (4 inches) of snow to Kemptville, have slipped south of the border and are centered over southern Jefferson and northern Oswego Counties. The band, according to National Weather Service spotters, has dumped over 2 feet of snow on Redfield and other towns in the county today alone. Totals will reach over 3 feet under the most persistent bands. Travel is not advised within the band area including Interstate 81 south of Watertown and north of Syracuse. Warnings are out for the entire Lake Ontario shoreline on the US side.

Highway 401 CLOSED

The eastbound lanes of Highway 401 are closed from Cobourg for almost 200km east to Gananoque because of heavy snow and white out conditions in snowsqualls off Lake Ontario. The OPP have reported over 100 accidents so far.

The complete story is at...
http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national/story.html?id=b6e4095b-2233-4c82-b7aa-2d4da86a9d8b&k=42045

Steady snow moving
into Leeds Grenville at this hour...

Heavy snow and squalls are moving northeast of Lake Ontario and into our region at this hour. Radar is showing intense streamers with heavy snow and even some lightning. Winds are expected to increase to southwest at 40-60km/h and will cause blowing snow and reduced visibilities. The following was issued by Environment Canada for our area...

BLOWING SNOW WARNING for:Brockville - Leeds and Grenville
WHITEOUT CONDITIONS THIS AFTERNOON.
ISSUED BY ENVIRONMENT CANADA AT 2:46 PM EST TUESDAY 22 JANUARY 2008
AN INTENSIFYING LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL CONTINUE TO TRACK EASTWARD ACROSS LAKE HURON TODAY REACHING SOUTHERN QUEBEC BY THIS EVENING. BRISK SOUTHWESTERLY WINDS WILL DEVELOP OVER MOST AREAS THIS AFTERNOON CAUSING BLOWING SNOW. LATEST ANALYSIS AT 2:00 PM IS SHOWING HEAVY SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW WITH VISIBILITIES BELOW 1 KILOMETRE ALONG HIGHWAY 401 BETWEEN OSHAWA AND KINGSTON. THIS AREA OF HEAVY SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW IS EXPECTED TO PERSIST FOR A FEW MORE HOURS THIS AFTERNOON BEFORE THE COLD FRONTAL PASSAGE SWEEPS THE HEAVY SNOW ACTIVITY EASTWARD EARLY THIS EVENING. AFTER THE COLD FRONTAL PASSAGE WESTERLY WINDS AROUND 40 KM/H WILL CAUSE LOCALIZED BLOWING SNOW WITH VISIBILITIES BELOW 1 KILOMETRE EARLY THIS EVENING BEFORE WINDS DIMINISH. IN ADDITION SOUTHWESTERLY WINDS ALONG THE LAKE ERIE SHORELINE FROM LONG POINT TO PORT COLBORNE AND ALSO ALONG THE LAKE ONTARIO SHORELINE IN PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY ARE EXPECTED TO SURPASS WARNING THRESHOLDS THIS AFTERNOON REACHING 60 KM/H WITH GUSTS TO 80 KM/H. WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO DIMINISH THIS EVENING TO BELOW WARNING LEVELS AS THE DISTURBANCE PULLS AWAY EASTWARD. MOTORISTS PLANNING TO TRAVEL IN THESE REGIONS SHOULD EXERCISE CAUTION AND BE PREPARED FOR DANGEROUS WINTER DRIVING CONDITIONS IN WHITEOUT. CONDITIONS WILL IMPROVE THIS EVENING AS WINDS SHIFT TO WEST.PLEASE REFER TO THE LATEST PUBLIC FORECASTS FOR FURTHER DETAILS.

The public works building in Oswego, NY collapsed this morning under the weight of three feet of lake effect snow.

Wild lake effect

snow and bitter cold

It was a weekend of intense lake effect snow in isolated pockets around the Great Lakes. Hardest hit in Ontario was the area off Georgian Bay near Barrie and along the 400 series of highways north of Toronto. Zero visibility in heavy snow caused hundreds of cars to pile into each other closing the 400 for more than 12 hours. Several serious injuries were reported but no deaths. The same conditions forced the closure of Interstate 81 in New York from Watertown south to Syracuse after multiple accidents Sunday afternoon.

Over 3 feet of snow has fallen on Oswego County. The roof of the public works building in Oswego, NY collapsed this morning from the weight of the snow. No injuries were reported, but a state of emergency has been declared. At this hour I-81 is open, but heavy snow is falling from Watertown south for about 50 miles. Travel is not recommended. The squall will slowly drift north tonight and slowly diminish in strength.

Meanwhile low pressure will move into the Great Lakes form the US Midwest tomorrow. While it will warm things up in the temperature department from the bitter cold this weekend, it was minus 25C in Kemptville this morning, a general 5-10cm of snow can be expected in most areas including Kemptville, along with strong gusty southwest winds from 40-60km/h. Travel will be a little challenging at times on Tuesday.

Much colder air for the weekend

The light snow that is falling this morning will end quickly from west to east as the morning progresses. Around 2cm has fallen in the region. Kemptville is above freezing at the moment so the snow is actually melting off vehicles. The cold air will begin mixing down to the surface soon and temperatures should fall below freezing again. It will be windy this afternoon with gusts over 50km/h, so there could be some drifting snow in open areas. Tomorrow another arctic front will move through the area with gusty winds and another 5cm of snow. It could be nasty on the roads with strong winds at times and dropping temperatures. This will be especially true closer to the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Valley. The colder air moves in behind that front with temperatures dropping to -20C Saturday and Sunday night before a slight warm up early next week back to normal temperatures. for a day or two.

Winter Storm Warning
for southern Prairies

A sharp arctic front is racing across the southern prairies this morning ushering in some of the coldest air of the season. The front is bringing rapid temperature drops and strong winds. Both Maple Creek and Swift Current dropped from highs of plus 6C early this morning to below freezing within one hour. Winds are gusting to 80km/h and light snow is falling - reducing visibility to near zero in places. The front will race east across Saskatchewan today and into Manitoba tonight. It will arrive in Ontario by Friday with similar results. Winter Storm Warnings are in effect for southwest Saskatchewan today for 5cm of snow and very strong winds with plummeting temperatures. Lows will be near -20C with cold wind chills. Travel is not advised.

AP Photo of Green Bay, Wisconsin on Saturday during the

Packers 42-20 win over Seattle in a snowstorm.

Kemptville on western

edge of Nor'Easter

Kemptville remains on the western flank of an east coast snowstorm that is dumping 15-25cm of snow from southern New England into the Maratimes today. Light snow has been falling since very early this morning. We can expect a general 3-6cm by the time it tapers off tonight. The steadiest snow is occurring at this hour with some blowing snow. Winds are gusty around the deepening storm and funneling down the St. Lawrence Valley. The winds are gusting at between 30-50km/h, making it feel damp and chilly and blowing the light snow around.

Numerous cars went into the ditches on area highways today. Roads are greasy and icy in many cases. SLOW DOWN and clean off your car. No matter how many times we suggest both these things, many drivers continue to do neither. Adjust your driving to the roads.

The Kemptville Creek is over it banks at Curry Park this morning. A Flood Watch remains in effect for the Rideau River. Freezing rain and rain will taper to showers later today.
Photo S. Balena

School Buses cancelled in SD&G and Leeds/Grenville
Freezing Rain Warning

Winter has returned to the area with snow overnight, about 5cm in Kemptville, that is now in the process of mixing with freezing rain. The culprit is low pressure over Michigan and a warm front east into Quebec. Along the warm front snow and the freezing rain are occurring. I don't expect a large accumulation of ice, but enough to make roads slick. It should all change over to showers by noon with the exception of the upper Ottawa Valley which may have a few extra hours of the freezing rain.

It will be breezy tonight with flurries as the cold front attached to the low slides east. The weekend should be calm before another storm system makes Monday interesting. More on that later.

Galop Canal Road in Iroquois after strong winds toppled trees. ..J. Morin Photo

100,000 without power in Ontario
The wind storm that swept the province earlier today continues to slip east of the region with wind speeds lowering slowly. In its wake is considerable damage and power outages. With numerous trees and power lines down, power is out to over 100,000 Hydro One customers, including over 15,000 in Leeds & Grenville and S D & G Counties. Winds have been reported in the 60-100km/h range. The bridge from Prescott, ON to Ogdensburg, NY has been reopened after being closed for several hours after a tractor trailer nearly tumbled over the side, knocked over by the strong winds. Winds should slowly abate tonight.

Joe Morin Photos of the toppled rig on the

International Bridge over the St. Lawrence

Ogdensburg/Prescott Bridge CLOSED

Wind creates havoc in region

Strong winds of over 100km/h have been racing through the area today creating damage, power outages and accidents. The winds have gusted to 133km/h at Point Petre, 100km/h in the St. Lawrence Valley, 72km/h at Ottawa, 76km/h at Montreal and 60km/h at Kemptville.

The wind knocked over a big rig on the International Bridge between Johnstown, ON and Ogdensburg, NY closing the bridge to all traffic. Edwardsburg /Cardinal FD and officials from both sides of the border are on scene at this hour. The driver is bruised but well.

Iroquois Chieftain editor Joe Morin took the pictures above a little over 1 hour ago. He reports trees down in the region. The Hydro One website is reporting over 10,000 customers without power in the Province but with no exact details. On the New York side of the border, several 18 wheelers have been blown off Interstate 81 and over 75,000 people are without power in western and central New York. Jefferson County State Police are advising no travel in the county till further notice. Schools have been closed as well.

Wind Warning for Leeds Grenville

The bizarre January weather continues this morning. Kemptville is currently 12C only about 25 degrees above normal for a January 9 morning. Ottawa reached 10C yesterday breaking the record for the day set in 1955. It was day two of record highs and record high lows!

I went to bed with snow covered fields and now I wake up the proud renter of lakefront property. Water as far as I can see...with some snow still in banks here and there. The wind is increasing this morning in response to a cold front. Point Petre on Lake Ontario has just reported a wind gust to 133km/h and winds are fierce along the front on both sides of the border. Heavy thunderstorms have also been reported with the front in Buffalo.

A WIND WARNING has been posted for Leeds/Grenville and Lanark for winds in excess of 60km/h with gusts to 90km/h beginning soon/ The warning contiues east into Montreal.

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH is in effect for St. Lawrence County in New York including Ogdensburg and the International Bridge area.

A Flood Watch remains in effect for the entire region, some minor flooding is being reported in fields and areas adjacent to waterways.

Fog on the 416 slowed travel...Photo: C. Hofley

What a day...and night!

It is 11C in Kemptville, 13C in Cornwall and 18C in Watertown at 1pm. Feels like mid-April when the sun comes out. It won't last, radar is showing heavy returns across central Ontario, and that thunderstorm and shower activity is moving east. So much snow has melted in the last 24 hours, it is amazing...I believe the National Weather Service office in Watertown used the words "obscene warmth."

I spent most of the overnight unable to sleep and listening to my police scanner following the Kemptville Fire Department as they raced water back and forth to a huge barn fire on South River Road just off Actons Corners Road. What a job they did shuttling water back and forth from Kemptville to the fire scene with the help of the Merrickville FD, Edwardsburg/Cardinal FD and Ottawa FD. The good news was the weather was tame by any standard let alone January. We had some thunderstorm activity earlier in the overnight. Then through the bulk of the fire episode, the fog lifted, the rain stopped and it was almost 10C. The fog and rain moved back in by daybreak.

The Fire Department in town are volunteers who give so much of there energy and time...kudos to you all. We are lucky to have you.

Rain and Fog along the rising Kemptville Creek

Minor flooding possible this week

It is currently plus 8C in Kemptville with rain and fog. The fog will continue through the evening making travel difficult at times, extreme caution is advised.

As far as the rain goes, it will become heavy over the next 24-48 hours as moisture streams north from the southern US. The rain and rapid melting of the record snow pack will cause rises in area streams and lakes. The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority issued a press release that they are monitoring the conditions closely. They are advising people and especially children to stay away from all area waterways. While no major flooding is expected, home owners should monitor the Rideau River closely. With embedded thunderstorms, from 25-50mm of rain is possible over the next few days. Mild weather will continue as well. The entire snow pack many disappear this week, which is incredible considering we had over 50cm on the ground.

A big warm up underway
10th Anniversary of the Ice Storm
January 5-10th, 1998

A major warm up is underway in eastern Ontario this morning. You can actually hear the snow melting. As surprise introduction to the warm air was a quick shot of 5-7cm of wet snow last night in Kemptville that made roads nasty to drive on. The warm air will continue to invade our region till mid-week before a cold front brings us back to reality.

The warmth may reach record levels with highs at or above 10C for the area. Fog and drizzle will occur often as the air remains very moist as a result of the continuous melting.

The Ice Storm: The great Ice Storm is 10 years old already. The storm claimed 35 lives, created hardship for over 4 million people in eastern North America, but especially Ontario and Quebec. Over 3 billion in damages, the costliest natural disaster in Canadian history, 130 transmission towers down and over 120,000km of power and telephone lines needed to be repaired.

Whew, what a storm and I missed it. Only weather people can know how difficult it is for me to talk and write about this subject. When you are into weather you want to be where the action is. Not always possible, so when it comes to you...great. I had lived in Montreal for all my life at the time, 31 years. But just 5 months before the great storm I moved to Saskatchewan for work and had to leave my beloved Montreal. I had to watch from a distance of 3500km as all my family, friends and former co-workers struggled through it. All I wanted to do was be home, as a matter of fact I almost quit my job and came back east. That is a story for another day.

Anyway check out this awesome link by the Montreal Gazette about the Ice Storm...
http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/features/frozenintime/index.html

BOIL WATER ADVISORY
FOR KEMPTVILLE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE....

http://www.northgrenville.on.ca/

Here comes the January thaw

Right on schedule a major warm up is underway. At 8pm last night in Kemptville it was -19C, by 6am this morning we are at -4C. Can you say warm front? Along that front a shot of 1-3cm of quite heavy snow fell for an hour or two early this morning. That has passed now and we can expect a mild, partly cloudy day.

Beyond today the warm up will continue with temperatures approaching record levels by the middle of next week. Expect high temperatures to approach plus 10C. The evenings will still be at or below freezing so watch for icy roads. Enjoy the week because it looks colder and snowier by the middle of this month.

Keep in mind we have a tremendous snow pack around, in many cases over 55cm. That will begin to melt quickly, so make sure the sump pumps are working and that sewers and catch basins are clear of ice and snow.

AP Photo of the Day is Sydney Crosby of Pittsburg scoring the winning goal on Ryan Miller in Buffalo, NY before 71,000 fans at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The New Years Day game was the first regular season NHL game played outside in the US. The weather was pure Buffalo, snow squalls, breezy and dropping temperatures. Pittsburg won the game 2-1.

Blowing snow during yesterday's storm.

Storm Summary...

Another 15-25cm fell across the region yesterday with very strong winds. Today it is bitterly cold with northwest winds over 30km/h and wind chills in the -25 to -30 range. About 20cm of snow fell in Kemptville, with 23cm in Brockville, 25cm in both Montreal and Cornwall and around 15cm in Ottawa. Roads this morning remain snow covered in places and icy. Some blowing snow is occurring as well. There were numerous accidents yesterday across Ontario and Quebec. This morning on my drive in from Montreal, I counted over 10 cars in the ditches. Drive with care today, slow down.

Plowing Highway 15 along Montreal's South Shore on New Years Eve

Welcome to 2008
A New Year...same weather

Thank you for reading and making my blog reach 2600 hits on New Years! I am always excited about the weather, and being able to share that with you is amazing for me...thanks!

Well January will begin the same way December ended, with snow. Winter Storm Warnings are flying up and down the St. Lawrence Valley at 11am. Low pressure over Lake Erie will move to Cape Cod while deepening today. Heavy snow has begun and will continue into the evening on increasing Northwest winds. Travel will be rough today so if you can delay go tomorrow. An expected snowfall of 15-25cm is expected across the region from Montreal to Kingston and south into northern New York. Ottawa will receive less at about 10cm and is not included in the warnings.

The snow will be followed by some of the coldest air of the season. Ironically enough that will be followed by near record warmth next week. So just hold out till weeks end and we should see a thaw begin on the weekend. Indications are it could warm to 8C by the middle of next week!

Happy New Year....

Snow and more snow! It is no surprise that the month of December will end with a flurry, pardon the term; of snow. The month has seen record snowfall totals for many cities in the east including Ottawa and Montreal - records that were established during the fierce winters of the early 1970's. Ottawa has recorded over 110cm of snow with another 18 hours or so to go.

On that note, Winter Storm Watches and Special Weather Statements have been posted for the region. This mornings snow will taper off shortly after depositing around 5-8cm on the area. A more potent storm is expected to cross the lower lakes tonight and redevelop along the New England Coast Tuesday. Snow at times heavy will develop across all regions tonight and end late Tuesday. A good 10-15cm is forecast with a possibility of more south of the area into New York. Windy weather will cause blowing snow and usher in frigid temperatures by Wednesday morning. The watches may be upgraded to warnings so check the links at the left often today and listen to local radio or TV if you are planning to travel tonight or Tuesday.

Parade of Storms

to our east

Happy New Year....

A steady supply of winter storms will continue to affect the east coast of Canada and the US with heavy precipitation. Some parts of Newfoundland will have close to 100cm by Wednesday night. Kemptville and the St. Lawrence Valley will remain on the western edge of the storm track with 10-15cm expected in two shots between tonight and New Years night Tuesday. The first shot of snow will develop tonight and taper to flurries before noon Monday. The second batch will start early Tuesday and taper to flurries late in the day.

Snow Advisories have been posted for New England and New York, but our snow totals should remain below warning criteria. Temperatures will turn much colder from the middle to late part of the week. The cold will be short lived but I will save that news for another post.

The important thing to remember when travelling the next several days will be the very changeable weather. Expect snow covered roads and some reduced visibility in heavier bursts of snow, especially along the 401 and southeast into the US.

More snow tonight

Another round of steady wet snow and rain is on tap for Friday night across Ontario and into western Quebec. The snow should begin in eastern Ontario late today and dump between 5-15cm. The heavier amounts will occur across higher elevations and towards the Ottawa Valley. Low pressure is expected to slide from the lower Mississippi Valley into the Great Lakes and eventually Quebec by noon Saturday. Last nights storm put down between 5-10cm of snow on the region.

The precipitation will be followed by a mild Saturday and Sunday before more snow moves in for Monday and New Years Day. Some rain may mix with tonight's snow along the 401 corridor. This will lower snow totals greatly.

Canada's Top ten weather Stories of 2007 are out

by Environment Canada. You can find them at

http://www.ec.gc.ca/doc/smc-msc/m_110/toc_eng.html

Fast moving weather pattern

A series of fast moving but somewhat potent weather systems is poised to affect the area for the next several days leading up to New Years Eve. The first is crossing our region today with a period of steady snow. From 5-15cm is expected across the Ottawa Valley and eastern Ontario till midnight or so. The snow is falling now and roads have become slippery and snow covered in most cases. Patchy freezing rain is also occurring along the 401 corridor.

The next system will arrive late in the day Friday and deposit another 10-15cm of snow in our region. The final system in the trio will arrive Monday just in time for New Years Eve. This one may have a little more energy associated with it and we will have to watch it closely.

Flash Freeze Warning

After a very mild day across Ontario and Quebec a powerful cold front is crossing the area. Temperatures are plummeting and are expected to fall to -4C by morning from highs of plus 5 to 7C. Roadways across southern Ontario are freezing up. Accompanying the drop is strong winds from the SW at 50-80km/h. A gust to 90km/h was recorded at Port Colborne in the last hour. Kemptville is plus 5 while Kingston is -2 and snowing at 9pm.

High Wind Warnings are posted for the entire region with Flash Freeze Warnings for Ontario. Travel with great care tonight or delay till tomorrow.

Thank You Vicki for creating this awesome

Cartoon version of me being me!

Vicki is an unbelievably talented Graphic Artist/Cartoonist

on staff here with us.

You can see more of her work at the following link.

http://www.actofimagination.ca/

Here comes the rain

While I believe our white Christmas is not in jeopardy plenty of rain and warmth is on the way for this weekend. A warm front will lift north of the area on Saturday setting the stage for strong southerly winds and some showers. Temperatures are expected to soar to the plus 5 to 9C range across the area by mid-morning Sunday. After that a strong cold front will push through the area late Sunday with a rapid temperature drop and heavy rain along the front. Any leftover precipitation will change to snow Sunday night and then taper to flurries. Icing of roads is possible Sunday night. Winds along and ahead of the front Sunday will be very strong out of the southwest up to 70km/h possible.

We can expect between 15-30mm of rain across our area with the potential for rapid snowmelt. I like to call it the Hair Dryer effect when strong south winds are blowing ahead of a cold front. Needless to say it is important that you clear rain gutters and sewers and perhaps take any snow SAFELY off your roof.

Beyond that Christmas looks seasonable with flurries, highs will be around -3 or -5C. Around the Great Lakes, on both sides of the border, there is the chance of lake effect snow Sunday night and Monday. Keep this in mind in your travels.

Thank you so much for reading this Blog all year long. I have had over 300 hits in the last week alone and it means so much to me. Be safe and have a Merry Christmas. And please be good to each other and slow down!

A change in the weather patterns

We are about to see some major changes in the weather pattern across eastern North America. It will become milder into the start of the New Year. First however we are in store for more snow. A clipper system moving from the central Great Lakes will bring 5-10cm of snow to most of the region with closer to 12cm east of Cornwall. Snow Advisories are in place for northern Vermont and NY. On the weekend another storm system will approach the lakes again and this time move west of our area. This will place our region in the warm sector eventually. Any snow or freezing rain will begin late Saturday and change to rain into Sunday.

It will be very mild from 4-6C on the weekend. It will cool again for Christmas with some flurries. I will post updates as the forecast becomes more clear.

Record Storm moves east

The massive winter storm that moved through Ontario yesterday is well east of our area this morning. It dumped an incredible 24 hour snowfall on the area including 50cm at Cornwall, 40cm at Kemptville and 37cm at Ottawa. Montreal had 30cm but it is still snowing and Toronto 18-25cm. Numerous flights are cancelled at Ottawa Airport still and school buses in the city are cancelled as well. There is no place to park downtown so leave your car at home if you can. Be safe on narrow streets as well.

One final note on the storm, it was well forecasted from start to end. That being said we may have another one planned for next weekend, but dig yourself out of this one first.

Once again praise to the crews that are working 24/7 to ensure our safety. In a month that has recorded almost 100cm of snow or more in some cases, that has been no easy task.

Just a quick update to 9pm. Still snowing in the area with several heavy bursts left to go. We currently have 38cm on the gound or a whopping 15 inches of snow...unreal! Drive safe.

4pm in Kemptville, ON.

33cm and counting...

Heavy snow and near zero visibility continues across the National Capital Region and North Grenville as a fierce winter storm hammers the area. 29cm has fallen in Ottawa, 32cm in Cornwall and 26cm in Toronto, strong winds continue to blow it all around and temperatures have been very cold with windchills approaching -25C. The snow is expected to continue for another 6 hours or so with 10-15cm more expected. Winds will be in the 40-60km/h range.

Travel is slow, but the plows continue to stay ahead of the storm. Some thunder and lightning has also been observed with the storm. Winter Storm Warnings remain posted for all areas for tonight. Only emergency travel is advised. 6000 customers in the Winchester area were without power but Hydro One had since restored service.

20cm and counting

Kemptville 1:30PM

We have surpassed 20cm in Kemptville at this hour and it continues to snow heavily with another 15cm expected. Winds are gusting to 35km/h in Kemptville and up close to 60km/h in Ottawa. Travel is not recommended on the 43, 416, 417 or 401. The OPP have reported near zero visibility on area highways, and travel is very poor.

The heavy snow has been accompanied by thunder and lightning in many areas including Montreal. Low pressure over Ohio will slide to the Atlantic coast today while intensifying. The snow and blowing snow will continue into the evening before diminishing. Total snowfall will be around 40cm.

This is Montreal Trudeau International...

http://www.admtl.com/passager/services_aeriens/flightInformation.aspx most flights are delayed or cancelled at this hour.

Kudos to the North Grenville public works....

8:45AM Update....

Very heavy snow is falling in Kemptville at the moment with visibility less than 1km. Winds are gusting to 30km/h causing blowing and drifting snow. Plowing operations are underway but with the heavy snow it may be difficult to keep up with the storm.

A few indicators are suggesting a little less in the final snowfall totals. This is typical with major storms where "dry slots" can work into the center of the system and lower totals. I still feel our area will have the heaviest accumulations in the 30-50cm range but surrounding areas may be lower. We will have to let the storm play itself out today. Needless to say it is a nasty to impossible travel day in the area.

Kemptville at 7am...

Storm begins
The snow has started across all regions this morning with the heaviest snow just working its way into Kemptville. The snow will become very heavy with bursts of between 2-5cm per hour expected. Thunder has been reported in southwestern Ontario and Michigan so it is not out of the question. Several centimetres has already fallen here and winds are gusting to 30km/h blowing it around and making the -15C seem much colder. Visibilities are down already to 2km at Montreal, 1km at Ottawa and 0.8km at Toronto. Travel is not advised today by the OPP. There is a statement from Environment Canada at this link, that says it all


http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/warnings/report_e.html?onrm90



The snow should remain quite intense through mid afternoon with visibilities often down to less than 1km in heavy snow and blowing snow. Winds will increase to 40-60km/h and gust to 80km/h along the St Lawrence River. Total snow amounts by the end of the storm I believe will be between 30-50cm.

Snow moves in overnight
OPP advise not to travel 401 as 60cm possible

A massive winter storm is on our doorstep at this hour. The snow will begin in Kemptville and eastern Ontario close to daybreak Sunday and spread north and east. It will rapidly become heavy and a record breaking snowfall is forecast. Environment Canada and the National Weather Service forecasters are calling for 40-60cm of snow in our area. It will fall fast and be blown around by very strong winds up to 80km/h. ALL travel should be avoided tomorrow.

It is possible that thunder will accompany the heavy bursts of snow at times. The entire area on both sides of the border is under a Winter Storm Warning. There are no easy places to travel tomorrow and I expect air travel will be greatly affected in most eastern cities from Chicago to New York to Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto. If this storm occurs as forecast it will be the most snow I have seen since the Blizzard of 1971 in Montreal that dropped 47cm in 24 hours. Stay tuned as this historic weather event continues to unfold. The links on the left are active and contain up to the minute conditions, warnings and radar.

Remember do not travel Sunday.

Storm could be historic in places
Winter Storm Warnings Posted...
Catchy title, it should be. Numerous indicators are suggesting one of the biggest storms in recent years. Computer models are showing between 30-50cm of snow for eastern Ontario and Western Quebec. Winds will be a factor as well gusting between 40-70km/h and even as high as 80km/h along the north shore of Lake Ontario. The snow will nudge into Eastern Ontario overnight tonight and last till late Sunday. It will be a very dry snow and easily blown around. There are even some suggestions that a lightning strike or rumble of thunder is not out of the question in the heaviest snow bands.

It is essential that you cancel travel plans tomorrow across Ontario, Quebec and New York/New England on Sunday. The most recent forecast path has the storm moving across southern New England, and introducing a little warm air in places along the St. Lawrence River with some sleet mixing in. Sleet could lower the snow totals.

I will post the next update close to 5pm and again around 11pm tonight

BIG Winter storm on the way

Winter Storm Watches and Warnings are flying across the entire region tonight as a potent storm takes place over Texas. The storm is expected to move towards Lake Ontario and spawn a second low pressure area along the Atlantic coast. With all the parameters in place including a powerful jet stream, it appears we are in for a doozie of a storm. Snow totals are forecast to be in the 25-50cm range across the entire area with 25 plus cm in Kemptville. In addition to the snow, winds are expected to gust between 40-70km/h on Sunday night. Temperatures will be very cold during the event and the snow will be dry and easily blown around.

Numerous agencies on both sides of the border are not recommending any travel Sunday and Sunday night. The snow is expected to begin in the pre-dawn hours Sunday.

Tonight gusty northwest winds have iced up roads, caused blowing snow and dropped the temperature in Kemptville from plus 1C at 2pm to -11C at 7pm.

Major storm for

Ontario & Quebec this weekend

Making plans this weekend? Have them completed by Saturday night because Sunday will be a stay at home day. A major winter storm is taking shape in the southern US plains with all the ingredients present for a powerful east coast storm. The low pressure will develop today over Texas and move to Pittsburgh by midday Saturday. A secondary low will develop along the middle Atlantic coast and become a strong Nor'Easter on Sunday. The combination of these two low pressure areas will produce heavy snow across all of eastern Ontario and Quebec, New England and New York and Atlantic Canada. Current indications suggest 25cm or 10 inches for all areas. Maybe even more here in the east. With the snow will be cold temperatures and gusty winds over 30km/h.

Winter Storm Watches are already in place for New York State and parts of Ontario. I expect these to be extended into our area by tonight or early Saturday.

Again tomorrow is the day for travel....Sunday will be a NO TRAVEL day.

Active weather pattern

The very active weather of the past week will continue into the weekend. A frontal system just south of the Great Lakes has been the axis for several winter storms. The latest storm dumped about 12cm of wet snow on Kemptville overnight. We now have around 20cm on the ground from the storms of the last three weeks. Another shot of light snow is possible tomorrow afternoon.

We then have to turn our attention to a potential major storm for the weekend. Low pressure is expected to take shape over Texas on the weekend and race towards the middle Atlantic sates. it will then move up the eastern seaboard towards Atlantic Canada and become very intense. It is way out there in weather world, but it could affect eastern Ontario. If it does, we would be on the extreme western edge of the storm and could expect no more than 15cm. But it is too far out to get into details. Stay tuned.

A couple of parting notes:

• Post Tropical Storm Olga is affecting the Caribbean and is expected to cross Cuba with heavy rains.

• The ice storm in the Midwest US had now been blamed for 24 deaths. Hard hit Oklahoma still has 600,000 residents without power.

10-15cm for North Grenville

The snow has started over eastern Ontario at 2pm and should continue until about midnight. We can expect between 10-15cm of snow in Kemptville. While Environment Canada has not issued any warnings, the driving should still be nasty. Roads are already snow covered and slippery. To the southwest over Lake Ontario, some rain and freezing rain is mixing in as well. Winter Weather Advisories are in effect for upstate New York and a Special Weather Statement has been issued for our region.
http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/warnings/SWS_bulletins_e.html?prov=on

AP photo of ice storm across the US Midwest yesterday. 6 deaths were reported with hundreds of flights cancelled at airports in Chicago.

More snow!

It will be a very unsettled week in the region with snow Tuesday afternoon till midnight from an Alberta Clipper and then again on Thursday. The system on Tuesday will bring 5-10cm to the valleys with as much as 15cm over higher terrain. The system later in the week may be a little more intense, but it will also have warmer air with it so freezing precipitation is possible. I will post updates on that later.

Our first concern is the 5-10cm falling tomorrow between 1pm and midnight in the region.

Plan your travel accordingly.

Please take time to remember the events of December 6, 1989

and lets all help to end violence against women.

Snow everywhere!

The snow finally stopped this morning in Kemptville

after about 36 hours or so. Around 27cm fell in all.

The roads are improving today thanks to the

hard work of North Grenville Township and

Leeds & Grenville County employees.

As you can see by the bottom picture of our work truck, which

I have to clean out, there is still mounds of it left.

The North Grenville Public Works Department were kept busy today.

Storm Update...

Snow continues to fall across North Grenville and east into Montreal. The snow should taper off overnight with just a few more centimetres expected in our area.

Here are some preliminary totals:

Kemptville: 20cm

Ottawa: 25cm

Montreal: 30cm

I will have more totals and an update tomorrow morning.

The main storm center has slid into western Quebec. A very low barometric pressure reading of 993 millibars was recorded in Kemptville at 8am today when the center of the low was just south of us in Upstate New York. It began to loose strength shortly after that. Roads remain snow covered and slippery, and 30km/h northwest winds are causing some blowing snow.

Sleet and snow dump 10cm on Kemptville so far
ALL Buses cancelled for Lanark, Leeds & Grenville

The snow and sleet started in Kemptville around 10pm last night. As I expected the heavy compacting sleet kept snow totals down, but we have an impressive 10cm on the ground. It would be more in the 15cm range had the sleet not occurred. Most weather offices on both sides of the border are scaling back on the forecast snow amounts as the main low begins to transition its energy to a developing storm on the east coast. A good bet is 15-25cm by the end of the day for all areas.

Blah bah blah what this all means is that the heaviest snow for Kemptville is past for the moment. It will remain quite heavy in Ottawa and Montreal for several hours still. Another swath of snow will accompany the back side of the storm as it moves through later today. The winds will also become a factor increasing from the northwest and gusting to 50km/h.

In addition snow squalls will develop around the lakes and some of these could affect eastern Ontario with brief bursts of heavy snow. To summarize it is not the end of the world, but it will be a nasty day on the roads, with gusty winds, varying degrees of snow falling from Kemptville in all directions and snow covered roads.

ALL school buses have been cancelled for Lanark, Leeds & Grenville, Ottawa and SD&G.

7pm Storm Update...

Winter Storm Warnings remain posted for Eastern Ontario, including Lanark, Leeds & Grenville, the Ottawa Capital District and Stormont Dundas & Glengarry counties. Warnings are also in effect for southern Quebec. Heavy snow and blowing snow is on our doorstep as the bulk of the low pressure area begins to slide east across upstate NY. Areas along the north shore of Lake Ontario and Erie will expect freezing rain and rain tonight before changing back to flurries Monday.

In Kemptville today we have had only flurries north of the warm front extending from the main storm center. Snowfall amounts by the end of the storm will be close to 35cm in Montreal and Ottawa with less - around 20cm in Kemptville and along the Seaway due to mixing of freezing rain. In all areas winds will be 30-50km/h out of the east tonight and then back around to the northwest 30-60km/h on Monday.

Travel will be very poor Monday so allow extra time in all our forecast regions OR delay your plans to Tuesday when conditions should improve greatly.

The next update will be later this evening followed by a complete update by 6am Monday morning...

Iowa interstate on Saturday

Travel very poor in Ontario

The winter storm has now begun over most of southern and eastern Ontario and will slide into Quebec later today. It is not snowing yet in Kemptville at this hour. Winter Storm Warnings are in effect for all of Eastern Ontario, Southern Quebec and upstate New York. Forecast amounts through Sunday night will be in the 5-10cm range in our area with 20-30cm by evening Monday. I believe the amount in Kemptville will be around 20cm with several hours of sleet mixing in to bring down the snow totals.

Winds will be a factor as well gusting between 30-50km/h first from the east and then backing to the northwest on Monday. They may even gust to 70km/h along the Great Lakes and Seaway on Monday.

Needless to say all this will make for very slow and poor travel today and Monday. If you can do so delay travel plans in eastern Ontario and southern Quebec today. The storm has already slowed travel across the US Midwest from Nebraska north into Minnesota and east across Michigan and into Southern Ontario. The snow will change to rain south of a line from Kingston to Windsor today.

Winter Storm Warning

A major winter storm is on tap for our area on Sunday and Monday. A strong low pressure area will move from Kansas towards the Great Lakes tonight and east across New York State on Sunday. This system will result in heavy snow overspreading the area Sunday from west to east. Some mixing of sleet or freezing rain may occur late Sunday. By the time precipitation ends on Monday close to 30cm of snow and sleet is expected in Montreal, Ottawa and close to 25cm in Kemptville.

Winter Storm Watches have been posted for Kemptville, with a Heavy Snow Warning for Montreal. All areas of New York and Vermont are under warnings as is southern and western Ontario. Travel is not recommended tomorrow afternoon and night along the 401 and 416 corridors as well as southwest Quebec highways.

Next update by 8am Sunday....

Winter Storm Update

Issued 8AM Saturday December 1

The much talked about winter storm is on our radar this Saturday morning. Today is a great day to get everything done you need to do. Tomorrow will be a very different story across Ontario and New York and into Quebec by Monday. A Colorado low is developing and is expected to move towards Toronto by late Sunday. Very cold air is in place across Eastern Ontario and Quebec this morning. This cold air will not be displaced easily. It appears that precipitation from the storm will begin overrunning the area after lunch on Sunday. The snow will become heavy and last into Monday. While 10cm is the official forecast, 25cm or 10 inches is not out of the question for Kemptville and Montreal.

Winter Storm Watches are in effect for southern Ontario and all of New York and Vermont. They will be extended later today into eastern Ontario as the track of the storm becomes more defined.

The next update will be around 4pm today....The links at the left are always active. If the link is red or "severe" a warning is in place, click on the link to read the warning.

Prescott Street in Kemptville this afternoon at about 2pm.

Snow and more snow....

Icy roads today have led to several accidents in the area. Kemptville Fire Department has responded to at least 2 roll overs and roads remain icy. We had a snow squall move through about one hour ago and it dumped several centimetres of snow.

The next system is expected to move in late Saturday. Winter Storm Watches have been posted for southwestern Ontario, and I expect them to be extended eastward into our area tomorrow. The snow will be steady Sunday with over 10cm expected.

BIG Snowstorm on tap for Sunday

Deepening low pressure is expected to develop in the US southwest and head for Toronto by late Sunday. Very cold air will remain in place in Ottawa and Montreal and set the stage for steady snow and some freezing rain Sunday into Monday morning. While it is very early in the forecast we can expect at least 10cm of snow and maybe as much as 20cm.

Today an Arctic front will sweep the region ushering in cold air with strong gusty winds and around 5cm of snow. Wind warnings are in place for NY State as well as the shores of Lake Erie and Ontario.

Last night isolated squalls produced only flurries in Kemptville but dumped a band of over 5cm of fluffy snow from Merrickville south. The photo above is plowing in Merrickville this morning.

I will update the storm situation at around 4pm today and again often this weekend so visit us again soon and as always the links along the left side of the page are current.

Weekend Update

I was hoping the weekend forecast would be a simple one. It looked like the storm that was poised to sweep the area was going to be a cold weather event with snow and nothing else. As more computer models are run, warm air is being introduced to the storm. This always complicates the forecast by developing a snow/rain line usually very close to Kemptville and the Seaway.

So...here goes. First today. Windy, in a word. A cold front is moving through the area with gusty winds from 50-70km/h and some snow today. I don't expect more than a cm or 2 at best. Another front will sweep the area late Friday with more flurries and gusty winds. Saturday is fair, the ideal go out and shop day. Sunday will see snow developing and mixing with freezing rain. That is far as I will go today. More updates soon. Plan on poor weather Sunday.

Be kind to each other today!

Fast changing weather pattern

Expect many changes over the next few days in Kemptville and the Ontario/Quebec region. A series of fast moving storms and fronts will provide a range of precipitation from snow to rain and everything in between. Most of today will be dry. Snow will begin late tonight and mix with rain by morning. A few centimetres is expected. Tomorrow we can expect the showers to turn back to flurries late in the day as a cold front moves through the area again. Keep in mind regardless of the precipitation type, roads will be slick. The ground is now in the process of freezing and ices up quickly.

Beyond that a major storm may affect us late in the weekend, Sunday into Monday. I will post updates on this as we move closer to the event.

Yesterday's front dropped about 3cm on Kemptville. Southwest of us in the Toronto area and north along the 400, squalls created white out conditions resulting in two fatal accidents. Winds gusted from 70-100km/h along the front in that area. Remember that at this time of year and indeed all winter, the weather changes quickly around the lakes. Be ready for these rapid changes in road conditions.