Spring Forward

Move clocks ahead 1 hour at 2am

It is that time of year again, at least according to the calendar. Time to move the clocks forward one hour Sunday morning at 2am. Daylight Savings Time begins tonight. We will add an hour to our afternoons, and take it away from the morning. So look for it to be bright to end the weekend. The sad part is we give up an hour of sleep tonight.

The weather will be mild all weekend.  Yesterdays rain and snow has moved well east of the region. It was very mild on Friday, 10C in Kemptville, 8C in Montreal and a remarkable 17C in Toronto and 19C in Sarnia. Today is cooler but still well above freezing. Rain will begin later today across the region as low pressure nudges in from Illinois, and taper to flurries overnight. Sunday will be mild and partly sunny before another storm form the US Midwest moves into the area with rain and snow for Monday. That system may miss Montreal but Kemptville is expecting some snow. Stay tuned for more info on that later Sunday.

 

Thunderstorms in Montreal

A cold front associated with low pressure northeast of Montreal is triggering quite a few thunderstorms in southern Quebec this afternoon. Despite the fact that it did not reach 8C today as expected due to low clouds and precipitation, the air has become unstable enough to support thunderstorm activity. These storms should dissipate this evening as the skies clear and temperatures dip to near zero. Expect brief heavy downpours with any storms and some lightning.

Tomorrow should be fair before another low pressure area from Texas moves into the region late in the day with steady rain into Sunday. Some portions of Ontario and Quebec could see between 15-25mm of rain from late Saturday into Sunday.

Skies will clear late Sunday and it will turn colder as well.

Freezing Rain Warning

An area of freezing rain and snow associated with low pressure and a warm front over the Great Lakes will move across eastern Ontario and southern Quebec tonight. Expect 5cm of snow before a gradual changeover to freezing rain after midnight. The freezing rain may accumulate 2-5mm of ice before temperatures warm well above freezing. It will be warm on Friday, close to plus 8 in the afternoon which should melt any ice that falls.

Travel may be poor overnight especially in the Ottawa Valley and the St. Lawrence Valley from Cornwall northeast. The 416, 401, 417, 20 and 40 will be affected.

Milder weather on the way

It is funny how life can come full circle. I spent the overnight period today delivering Montreal Gazettes for a friend of mine. It is job I did as a teenager and well into my twenties. It was a chilly night but thankfully clear and dry. This was not the case 38 years ago today when one of Montreal’s most famous snowstorms hammered the region. I wrote about that in a post below. I am just going to mention a couple of quick details I came across. The lowest barometric pressure reported in Montreal was an unbelievable 97.29kPa. This is as strong as a hurricane. Peak wind gusts were well over 110km/h. Over 43cm of snow fell in 24 hours with storm totals over 50cm. Power was out in places for up to a week, and 20 people perished in the storm. Some roads were closed for two days under two  storey drifts. I remember it well…

Our weather today is much more tranquil, sunny and temperatures close to normal. Weak low pressure will move over the Great Lakes tonight with a warm front approaching the area on Thursday. We can expect some light snow or freezing rain in Kemptville and Montreal on Thursday afternoon. Any precipitation will change to rain on Friday as temperatures warm to well above freezing. Highs will be close to 8C on Friday.

 

Photos: Above right; a seasonal obstacle, fixing pot holes in north end Montreal. The above photo is Highway 15 south of Montreal yesterday. Despite the sunshine, blowing snow continued to be a problem from Mondays Nor'easter.

East Coast Storm

While March roared in like a lion from Washington to Halifax it was much more tame in Kemptville and Montreal. Heavy snow fell in many cities along the east coast with schools closed and hundreds of flights cancelled to and from the area. The snow was accompanied by very strong winds. Over 30cm fell in New York City and Boston with even more in interior portions of New Hampshire and Maine. The cut-off for the heavy snow was sharp and the snow made it into the far eastern suburbs of the south shore of Montreal but no further west. Only flurries and brisk north winds were reported in Montreal. The snow and blowing snow will continue tonight in the Townships and northern Vermont with 10-15cm by the end of the precipitation. Keep that in mind if your travels take you along Highway 10 or Interstates 89 and 91.

It will be breezy and cold elsewhere tonight with temperature close to minus 20C by sunrise in Ottawa, Kemptville and Montreal. Tuesday will be brisk and cold but sunny in most regions.

Montreal road crews in LaSalle were ready today for the snow but it never arrived in the city with just a few flurries.

Photo above: In Virginia and most of the east coast, they were not so lucky with 20-40cm of snow falling from South Carolina to Nova Scotia.

In like a lamb or lion

UPDATE: A major storm over the eastern seaboard will move from Hatteras, NC into the Maratimes by Monday night. Heavy snow and strong winds will affect the coast from the Carolina's northward into Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Heavy snow will fall as far west as the Champlain Valley of New York. In Ontario look for gusty winds and bitter cold, while in Montreal the cold will be accompanied by snow and blowing snow with 5cm in Montreal and up to 10cm along the US border.

"If March comes in like a lion, it will go out like a lamb."

Some weather sayings are from fact and others are handed down from years of stories and beliefs. This particular saying appears to be one of the latter, there is not much fact associated with the proverb. Yes, very often it is true, but that can be said about the entire month - variable. March is very much a transition month. We are moving our clocks ahead, the sun is getting warmer, and the days are getting much longer. However March is also the month of our biggest snowstorms, record breakers. This included the 43cm of snow that fell on Montreal in March 1971. The blizzard of 71 stands out among other storms for me because of its ferocity. It snowed heavily and the wind blew at 100km/h or more producing zero visibility for nearly 24 hours at Montreal. The barometric pressure was so low it resembled a category 2 hurricane. It was the event that started my interest in weather at a very young age. I was only 5 but remember the day very well as I sat in my window at 7241 LaSalle Blvd in Verdun watching the day unfold. The wind, the heavy snow and the huge drifts it was amazing. The photo to the left is of the 401 closed near Cornwall and littered with trucks during that storm. Below is a story on that day published last year in the Montreal Gazette.

Back in March of '71 ... Snowdrifts two storeys high and 43.2 cm in 24 hours left 17 people dead
ANNE SUTHERLAND
The Gazette

Thursday, March 06, 2008

The 316 centimetres of snow that have fallen on Montreal so far this season may seem unbeatable, but we had much worse 37 years ago. That was our snowiest season on record, with a total of 383 centimetres, a quarter of that falling in March. On Thursday, March 4, 1971, as Montrealers were distracted by the 43.2 centimetres of snow that fell in 24 hours, our famously eligible prime minister managed to fly off and get married in secret. Pierre Elliott Trudeau married Margaret Sinclair on March 4 in Vancouver, taking almost everyone but the 12 people in attendance by surprise. Back here, the massive snowfall - dubbed Montreal's Storm of the Century before being eclipsed by the 1998 Ice Storm - left snowdrifts two storeys high. Seventeen people died in the Montreal area, killed by heart attacks, asphyxiation and traffic accidents. Many of the deaths occurred in cars that were stuck in the massive snow dump. Eighty per cent of the highways on and off the island of Montreal were closed for at least a day.

Police commandeered snowmobiles from private citizens to get around. Banks were closed the Friday after the storm and, unusually, opened for three hours on Saturday to accommodate clients. Many businesses sent their employees home early on March 4 and didn't open the next day because of the difficulty in getting around. Getting home the night of the storm was a problem because commuter trains could not get through the deep drifts. Airline passengers were stranded at what was then Dorval International Airport. City buses were operating only on major arteries.

Downtown hotels, bars and restaurants were crowded with stranded workers and merrymakers. There was no home delivery of The Gazette on March 5 because of the road conditions. We apologized. Montrealers had little time to put down their shovels. We got another 17 centimetres of snow on March 7, 1971.

© The Gazette (Montreal) 2008

Flash Freeze Warning

Heavy rain and mild temperatures produced massive potholes in Montreal today.

Temperatures are free falling behind a cold front in southern Quebec at this hour. It was the same story in Kemptville this afternoon. In one hour the mercury fell from 7C (45F)to -1C (30F) between 3 and 4pm. In Montreal we were 6C last hour and now we are down to -4C with steady snow and gusty winds. Roads have iced up and visibility is below 1km in snow. The snow should end quickly and skies clear with lows close to -20C in Kempville and -13C in Montreal.

Today the region had very heavy rain most of the afternoon. I don't have a rain gauge at my new location as of yet but I have to think at least 20mm fell. We will have to wait and see what the official amount was at the airport for Montreal and MNR building in Kemptville. I will post that data tomorrow.

Flash Freeze

A strong cold front associated with low pressure over central Ontario is racing east this morning. heavy rain is falling along the front with 10-20mm expected in most regions of eastern Ontario and western Quebec. The front will be accompanied by very strong winds with gusts up to 70km/h possible. This mornig gusts are already over 50km/h in many places.

At 9am the front is crossing eastern Ontario southwest towards Sarnia. It is 8C in Windsor and only 0C in Sarnia. That gives you an indication of the rapid drop in temperature that occurs with the passage of the front. In eastern Ontario it is 7C in Kemptville and 10C in Cornwall. Montreal is currently at 5C. Look for temperatures to plummet to -5 to -10C by this evening with any rain changing over to light snow and ending rapidly. Any wet surfaces will freeze quickly, keep this in mind if you are travelling this afternoon in Ontario or tonight in Quebec.

Storm 1 West - Storm 2 East

Today was very mild across Ontario and Quebec with temperatures of 6C in Kemptville and 3C in Montreal. The warm air will continue to surge into our region ahead of a gathering storm, storm 1, over Kansas. This system will move west of our region towards Lake Huron with a wide swath of steady precipitation and wind. Heavy snow is expected over central Ontario and Quebec with 15-25cm forecast. Further south along the lower lakes and the St. Lawrence Valley expect 10-20mm of rain on Friday. The rain will be accompanied by very strong southwest winds along and ahead of an arctic front. Wind Advisories have been issued for upstate New York and Vermont as well as the St. Lawrence Valley. Expect winds to gust from 30-50km/h with isolated gusts over 70km/h. The winds should diminish in the afternoon as the temperature begins to drop. After a high close to 7C temperatures will plummet down to the minus teens by Saturday morning. Any leftover rain will change to flurries in Kemptville late in the day Friday and Montreal by evening.

Storm 2 that was being shown by some computer models to become a big weather maker for Montreal is now expected to take a path further east out in the Atlantic Ocean. It should completely miss Montreal but will affect the Maratimes on Sunday. Our weekend weather will be fair and chilly.

More snow & rain - maybe a weekend storm

After a sunny day today and quite mild it looks like stormy weather is on the way. The first system is a warm front that is poised to bring Kemptville and Montreal milder air and a little light snow into early tomorrow morning. Just a centimetre or two is possible mixed with some light rain. The sun may even make an appearance in the afternoon with temperatures rising to 6C. That system will be followed by a stronger storm moving north from the Midwest US. This storm will pass to our west on Friday and produce about 10mm of rain with very mild temperatures.

Saturday will be a fair and chilly day before another storm, this one a powerful coastal system moves north along the Atlantic seaboard. This system will follow a path similar to last weeks storm, with the heaviest snow falling to the east and tapering off rapidly as you move west towards Kemptville. Speaking of last weekends storm it was quite a weather maker. Montreal was on the western edge of the coastal storm and we still managed 21cm of snow and several hours of visibility below 1 kilometre. The precipitation fell for over 36 hours with strong winds and low visibility making travel difficult. A major accident near St. Zotique on the 20 closed it for several hours Monday night. The storm was far worse towards the east with portions of Vermont receiving 60cm. In Maine, New Hampshire and New Brunswick over 65cm of heavy wet snow occurred. The fierce winds and heavy snow toppled trees and power lines in Maine with over 140,000 customers without power at the height of the storm (photo above). Crews from as far as Vermont have been called in to help restore power. As of today about 20,000 customers remain in the dark.

Blowing Snow - Icy Roads

Above: Blowing snow near Highway 15 on the South Shore. Below: Clearing away the 15cm that fell in the last 24 hours.

Low pressure over New Brunswick continues to push light snow over the Montreal and Quebec City region. 10-15cm of snow has occurred over the last 24 hours in our region with less in eastern Ontario. Skies have actually cleared across most of the Ottawa region south into the Seaway. Snow amounts were very impressive across New England and into New Brunswick where close to 50cm has been reported. Behind the departing low winds have begun to increase in Montreal with gusts over 50km/h. The wind combined with the new powder is producing areas of considerable blowing snow and reduced visibility especially across the south shore and west of the island towards the Ontario border. The snow will end later this afternoon but the winds will not abate till overnight. In addition temperatures have fallen to -9c, so it is quite chilly outside. Travel with care today as road conditions vary from wet to snow covered.

Storm Update

Quebec Provincial Police tend to one of several accidents today on snow covered highways in southern Quebec. This one was at Highway 15 and Rome Blvd.

Low pressure near New York City continues to deepen and move towards Maine. Radar shows light snow in Montreal and just flurries across eastern Ontario. The snow will end in Ontario but continue in Quebec well into Monday. Look for storm totals of 5-10cm in Ottawa, 10-15cm in Montreal, and over 20cm in Burlington and points eastward. The Eastern Townships and counties along the US border remain under Winter Storm Warnings. Heavy snow has now moved as far north as Burlington and will continue to spread north and west towards the Quebec border and Plattsburg NY. Roads are snow covered and visibility is poor.

Major storm tracks east

A big winter storm will keep Kemptville and Montreal just on its western flank. The system is currently part of two low pressure areas, a weakening one over the Great Lakes and a much stronger one developing near New York City. The NYC storm will become the major system and intensify rapidly as it move towards Maine and New Brunswick. Kemptville and Ottawa can expect 5-10cm of snow with 10-15cm in Montreal over the next 24 hours. South of our region in New York and New England, winter storm warnings have been hoisted. Snow will accumulate 10-20cm in western zones such as Plattsburg and Massena with 20-50cm in areas east of the Champlain Valley. Heavy snow is also forecast across southeastern Quebec in the Townships and into New Hampshire, Maine and New Brunswick. In addition to the heavy snow all regions will see increasing northwest winds late tonight and Monday causing considerable blowing and drifting snow with dropping temperatures. The next 24 hours will be challenging on eastern Ontario and Quebec roads for travel and nearly impossible on Vermont highways especially east of the Champlain Valley.

Another storm on the way

The calm before the storm: Lake Champlain looking west at the snowy Adirondack Mountains of NY earlier today. Photo SB

Low pressure moving south of the Great Lakes this evening will slide across New York state while a second area of low pressure begins to develop along the Atlantic Seaboard. The combination of the two systems will provide our regions with steady snow from tonight into Monday morning. At present most of eastern Ontario and the St. Lawrence Valley including Kemptville can expect 5-10cm of snow with gusty winds primarily from storm number 1. The snow is near Kingston as of 6:30pm.

The forecast for southern Quebec is a little more tricky as low number 2 becomes the dominant system. It will rapidly intensify as it moves northeast towards Maine. Heavy snow along the western edge of the system could reach Montreal and increase totals here to well over 10cm by Monday. Meanwhile Vermont and eastern New York are under Winter Storm Warnings and they are expecting totals well in excess of 25cm. Some areas of the eastern Green Mountains may see close to 40cm by the time the system moves east.

Warnings may be required for southern Quebec. I will post an update on this storm early Sunday morning. Any travel along the 416/401/20 or Interstates south into the US tomorrow should be reconsidered if possible.

Some snow - some sun

Crews work to clear away the 15cm of wet snow in Lasalle early yesterday morning.

The weekend forecast has a little something for everyone. It will be partly sunny on Saturday with a few flurries. A clipper system will race across the area late Saturday and Sunday with a potential 5-10cm of snow and gusty winds. Temperatures will be a little chilly around -5C, but decent for February.

Yesterdays storm behaved as expected. The wet snow accumulated around 10-15cm in most areas in eastern Ontario and southern Quebec with some rain mixing in as well. It was an overall yucky day, very cool and damp. Roads were snow covered and slippery in the morning, but rapidly improved with the mild air by midday. Behind the system winds have been gusty over 40km/h and some lake effect snow has been occurring south and east of Georgian Bay and on the US side of the border along Interstate 81 between Watertown and Syracuse. The squalls have been quite intense in places with heavy snow and low visibility.

SNOW update

A Snowfall Warning remains in effect for Montreal. Wet snow has just began to fall in the region and will rapidly thicken up and become heavy this evening. Radar shows the snow is variable in intensity from Toronto all the way east to Montreal. There are periods of heavy snow followed by none at all. Winds are gusting over 40km/h in Montreal causing some blowing snow as well. Look for 10-20cm across eastern Ontario and western Quebec tonight into Thursday. Temperatures will remain close to the freezing mark, and some rain may mix in with the snow especially on Thursday.

Accident closes 401 at Summerstown

From AM 1220... Crash Expected To Close Eastbound 401 Near Summerstown Most Of Today

February 18, 2009 — The eastbound lanes of Highway 401 near Summerstown are expected to be closed most of today. Fire fighters are battling a blaze after two transport trucks collided just after 6am this morning. Police say both drivers suffered minor injuries. The O.P.P. say a transport carrying furniture and store products caught fire after colliding with another big rig. Traffic detours are in place as that section of the highway is expected to be closed for a better part of the day.

In addition snow is beginning to fall from Cornwall to Kingston. Road conditions are very changeable. The snow is moving east and should start in Montreal early this afternoon.

Snowfall Warning

Once again this morning we are faced with a similar forecast for both Ontario and Quebec, however, because Environment Canada seems a little confused with the criteria for weather warnings, Montreal is under a Snowfall Warning and Ottawa/Kemptville is not. Let me explain; 15cm in 12 hours or less is the criteria for a heavy snowfall warning. Montreal is expecting 15cm by daybreak Thursday, while Ottawa and Kemptville may not reach 15cm till a few minutes later. You get the idea, it is splitting hairs. The weather will create poor travel so the public should be advised. Environment Canada needs to do like the National Weather Service in the US and standardize the warning system clear across the country. I feel the current use of weather warnings really can confuse the average person. This is especially true when several different weather warnings are issued for the same event. OK enough with the rant...

Now the details: Low pressure in Illinois will move towards Toronto tonight while a second system takes shape in Tennessee. The two will provide mild air and precipitation to the region. Close to the Great Lakes most of that precipitation will fall as rain. Further north in the Ottawa Valley and Montreal it will be wet snow. The snow will start this afternoon, with the heaviest snow falling this evening before tapering off to showers and flurries by Thursday morning. Winds will be gusty up to 50km/h especially in the St. Lawrence Valley. Travel may be difficult this afternoon and overnight in eastern Ontario and Southwestern Quebec with low visibility and snow covered roads. The same is true across upstate New York and northern Vermont where Winter Weather Advisories are posted. Winter Weather Advisories are issued for 8-15cm of snow or ice for the event.

The calm before the storm

The Seaway International Bridge in Cornwall on a beautiful day. Below: Last nights sunset was fiery in Montreal.

What a splendid day it was across eastern Ontario and southwest Quebec today. The mercury nudged just over the 0C mark and the sun was warm. It almost felt like spring. I had to head down the 401 to Cornwall today and the drive was perfect. It will not be perfect for the balance of the week. Consider today the calm before our next storm.

Low pressure organizing in the Midwest will move towards Toronto on Wednesday and deepen. The system will spread precipitation across Ontario and Quebec beginning mid-day tomorrow and continuing into Thursday. We can expect mostly rain south of a line from Kingston to Peterborough and south towards Windsor. North of that line in places like Ottawa, Kemptville, Montreal and Cornwall look for 5-10cm of wet snow before it mixes with rain on Thursday. The entire mess will change back to light snow and taper off by Friday. Winds will be very gusty from 30-50km/h out of the northeast and then southeast with the strongest winds in the St. Lawrence Valley. The track of the storm is still a little uncertain. If it moves further south across New York we may see more snow. Stay tuned I will post an update early tomorrow morning.

Some snow on the way

Today turned out mostly cloudy in Montreal as a stubborn northeast flow maintained low clouds and flurries around the region. Eastern Ontario for the most was sunny, and I can now see the clouds beginning to erode to my west so I imagine the clearing is moving east.

This week we will see a return to a more stormy pattern. It has been almost snowless this month after so much of the white stuff in January. Montreal has had only 1.6cm of snow while Ottawa has recorded 1.4cm. This is well below the normal up to February 16th of 43cm and 46cm respectively.

The storm this week will take shape in the Mississippi Valley and move northeast towards Lake Ontario. Plenty of warm air will accompany the system so it will not be an entire snow event. Snow will spread across Ontario and Quebec on Wednesday with about 10-15cm falling from Kemptville and Ottawa east towards Montreal. The snow will then mix with freezing rain and possibly rain by Thursday morning before changing back to snow and ending late Thursday. This system is quite complex so the forecast is subject to change. It will be messy for driving from mid week through Friday so keep this in mind.

52nd Daytona 500

I like weather, but I love racing. After what has seemed like and eternity of an off season, racing returns today at the Daytona International Speedway with the 52nd running of NASCAR's Daytona 500. I have not missed a 500 since 1979, including being down there in Florida for the 1991 race. The weather will be partly cloudy with showers, humid and a high of 20C.

Our weather is great today, sunny and pleasant with temperatures around minus 4C. The next threat for stormy weather will come with a system moving from the Rockies across the Midwest and into New England by late Wednesday. It could be a significant system for Montreal and Kermptville but it is too soon to tell. For now it will remain dry and pleasant till at least early Wednesday.

Calm for a few days

Paul Swinwood took this photo for me yesterday of the rushing Kemptville Creek. Cooler weather should allow for the water flow to slow.

I started this post over 36 hours ago but the power went out here in Brossard as a result of moisture on the transformers and then I was at work so it never was finished. We are looking at a calm period weather wise as high pressure moves over the region and dominates well into next week. Temperatures will be near normal with abundant sunshine.

Yesterdays storm produced some impressive rainfall totals across Ontario and Quebec. Montreal had 29mm, Kemptville 22mm, Ottawa 27mm and Brockville 24mm. This combined with the rapid melting of snow has caused area rivers and streams to begin to rise. Flooding has even been reported south of us in New York state where a number of flood watches and warnings are in effect. The cooler weather and sunshine should allow for the rivers to slowly recede.

Last nights weather may have been responsible for a deadly plane crash in the Buffalo suburb of Clarence Center, NY (15km from Buffalo/Niagra Airport). The Canadian built aircraft on route from Newark with 49 on board plunged into a home shortly after 10:20pm last night. All on board and one person on the ground were killed. It was snowing at the time with fog and icing conditions present. The investigation is ongoing.

Rain & Thunderstorms

I want to thank everyone who has allowed me to surpass 20,000 hits on this blog. I love to talk about the weather and I am so grateful that

you like to read about it. Thank you again, Merci mille fois!

Above: The full snow moon sets over Montreal. The best I could do yesterday was this salt truck waiting for the freezing rain to start. Below: AP Photo of Tornado damage in Oklahoma.

There is plenty to talk about this morning, lets start with yesterdays non event, or was it. Very little freezing rain occurred anywhere really. There was just a few drops of it north of Montreal and none in Kemptville, however it was enough to cancel all the school buses and cause several major multi vehicle accidents on the Laurentian autoroute north of Montreal. SLOW DOWN!

Secondly very mild air is now streaming northward behind the warm front. It is already 6C in Kemptville and 8C in Toronto - a record high. Montreal however is very slow to warm and we are at -3C. All areas should see highs between plus 7 and 10C today with plenty of snow melting. Adding to the melt will be heavy rain. Heavy Rain Warnings have been hoisted by Environment Canada for all of Eastern Ontario and the Ottawa Valley. Expect 15-25mm or one inch of rain from this evening through mid-day Thursday. The rain may be enhanced by isolated thunderstorms. This system, which developed in north Texas, produced the first wave of severe weather last night. Several major tornadoes swept across Oklahoma knocking power out to over 30,000 people just two weeks after their ice storm. Nine deaths have been attributed to the severe weather with the hardest hit community being Lone Grove, Oklahoma. Today things should quiet down as far as severe weather goes but the flood threat will remain in many areas, and winds will increase in all areas.

As the system moves east of us on Thursday look for much colder air, flurries and winds over 60km/h. Wind warnings may be needed.

Freezing Rain Update

At left: Interstate 94 in North Dakota during freezing rain and fog there yesterday. The same system will affect us today.

The freezing rain is spreading across eastern Ontario this morning and moving into the Ottawa Valley and the St. Lawrence Valley. Look for the rain to overspread the Montreal region by noon. It may be fairly steady for a few hours, with 2-4 mm of ice accumulation expected. All school buses across the eastern Ontario region from Brockville to Ottawa and east to the Quebec border have been cancelled today as a result of the freezing rain. Freezing rain warnings are in effect for all our regions from Kingston and Smiths Falls east towards Montreal and the Laurentians.

The freezing rain will taper from west to east by midnight tonight. Travel will be impacted today but will improve for Wednesday as temperatures warm above freezing. Wednesday and Thursday morning will be mild and foggy with rain before a cold front sweeps the area on Thursday with some snow and slightly cooler temperatures.

Freezing rain on the way

Freezing Rain Warnings have been posted for southwestern Quebec including Montreal and they likely will be issued for the eastern Ontario region including Ottawa later tonight. A warm front extending from low pressure in South Dakota will move across the area on Tuesday. Along and ahead of the front a band of freezing rain will develop early in the morning and persist till late in the day with 2-4mm of ice expected. The freezing rain will gradually end as the temperature slowly rises above the 0C mark by late Tuesday or early Wednesday. Travel will be icy for most of Tuesday and caution is advised.

Winter Storm Watch

Environment Canada has posted a Winter Storm Watch for most of eastern Ontario and the Ottawa Valley for Tuesday. Low pressure over the Midwest will lift a warm front across Ontario and southwest Quebec during the day Tuesday. Precipitation in the form of light snow will begin in the morning, but rapidly change to freezing rain. The freezing rain could last up to six hours in Ottawa and Montreal. Cold air is dense and very stubborn to move out of the valley locations. Often in these scenarios quite a bit of ice accretion can form. It does not take a lot of ice to create treacherous driving. At present we are looking at 3-5mm of freezing rain before the change to rain as temperatures warm above freezing for Wednesday. If you have to travel on Tuesday make sure to check for the latest forecast. I will post an update on this weather event around 5pm today.

Mild Weekend

The sun sets in spectacular fashion today behind the Mercier Bridge in Lasalle. SB Photo

A warm front will lift north of the St. Lawrence Valley on Saturday bringing along with it some of the mildest air so far in 2009. Along the front both Montreal and Kemptville as well as the rest of the region can expect a little light freezing drizzle or drizzle until noon before temperatures warm to 5C. Sunday a cold front will cross the region dropping temperatures back below freezing with a burst of steady snow along the frontal passage. Winds will become quite strong as well on Sunday. No big storms are expected for the near term.

Warmer weather ahead

Clearing streets in Lasalle yesterday. It was a deadly day in the city with three deaths caused by dump trucks.

Montreal just finished a month where the mercury only rose above zero once (1.5C) and over 71cm of snow fell. Kemptville was no better with one dayover 0C as well (0.7) and over 45cm of snow. Montreal currently has more than 33cm of snow on the ground at Dorval with much more in the surrounding suburbs. It has been a cold, damp and raw winter so far, no better than last year. We are in for a little bit of a break this week across Ontario and Quebec. The big storm that threatened us Tuesday passed well to our east hitting Nova Scotia yesterday. We can expect a cold day today and Thursday before an appreciable warming trend into the weekend. It should rise above freezing to 5C on Saturday and Sunday before we cool off next week. With the exception of a little freezing rain or showers Saturday we look storm free for the moment.

Montreal has over 4100km of roads and 6500km of sidewalks to clear after each snowstorm. it is a monumental task involving hundreds of employees and pieces of equipment. They often work very long hours. In the past two days snow clearing crews have been involved in three major accidents resulting in three pedestrians being killed and 1 motorist injured. Just a reminder, give these crews the space they need, they are often under pressure to get the job done.

Groundhog Day

Six More Weeks of Winter
At 7:28am this morning in Punxsutawney, PA for the 123rd year Phil came out and made his prediction. Sadly for those of us who are fed up with winter, the news was not good. Stock up on washer fluid and patience as it looks like another 6 weeks of winter and not an early spring, he saw his shadow.

Meanwhile Sam in Nova Scotia and Wiarton Willie in Ontario are still preparing their predictions. More to follow. The real forecast today is for very mild conditions with highs close to 0C in Kemptville and Montreal.

Ok not such a perfect weekend

Above: Lots of blowing snow yesterday along Highway 15 and the south shore.
Below: The big cleanup continues on the West Island from Wednesday's 25cm.

The cold air has refused to budge here in the St. Lawrence Valley. On this Super Sunday we are still at -15C in Montreal with gusty northeast winds (it is 14C in Tampa with a high of 21C for the Super Bowl). Yesterday was sunny but windy and cold with lots of blowing snow around. The temperature fell most of the day and bottomed out close to -20C. We have also had a couple of centimetres of snow for good measure. It should warm up slightly this week and the threat for that big snowstorm on Tuesday has passed well east of us. It should remain dry in Montreal and Kemptville.

Tomorrow is Groundhog Day, yes we made it through another January. I will wrap of the month tomorrow, I am still digesting the stats for the month, but suffice to say it was cold and snowy. You can use the link at the upper left to watch Phil's predictions.

Perfect outdoor weekend

If you are looking to go skiing, snowmobiling or skating on the Rideau Canal in Ottawa, this is the perfect weather weekend. Fresh snow is everywhere including a few centimetres today, and it will be mild. Low pressure today moved down the St. Lawrence Valley with a few bursts of moderate snow at times. Radar is showing some more bursts around, but they should clear out early Saturday and leave us with a sunny and mild day. Tomorrow night a weak warm front will lift north of the region with light snow followed by a very mild day Sunday. We may actually go above freezing for the first time in a month here in Montreal.

Beyond that I am watching another potential snowstorm for late Monday and Tuesday developing over the Gulf States and moving northward towards New England. The most recent computer data is suggesting the system will move further east then the last storm. It looks like the 401/416 corridor and Kemptville could miss this one altogether with the Montreal area being on the extreme western edge of the precipitation. Currently the forecast is for snow and windy. I expect we will refine that a little over the weekend. Stay tuned and be safe.

Storm Summary

Drifting snow along Lakeshore Drive in Lachine. It was nearly blown closed at times during the storm.

The swimming pool in Verdun where I swam as a child, looking very cold in the predawn hours. (Notice the burried cars under 25cm of snow)

I am tired. I spent most of the day hopping over waist high snowbanks in Montreal's east end as I did a job I had not done for 11 years, deliver newspaper bundles of the Mirror and ICI to stores. It was an opportunity to get out and about as I am still trying to find new employment. The crews did a great job plowing the roads, but in a city where narrow streets are the rule rather than the exception, there is only so many places you can pile snow.

Above: Very narrow streets greeted me in Montreal today.

Here is a roundup of the storm:

Montreal 24cm

Cornwall 23cm

Ottawa 18cm

Kemptville 15cm

Brockville 14cm

Toronto 13cm

4pm Storm Update

Police along the South Shore have been busy with accidents all day.

Radar and ground observations are showing a potent storm over Ontario and Quebec today. Moderate snow has been falling since midday with more than 10cm on the ground in most locations including Montreal. Low pressure near West Virginia is expected to lift northeast towards New England tonight. Heavy snow will continue for the next several hours with storm totals exceeding 20cm. Travel is not advised.

Visibility in Montreal and along the south shore is less than 1km and has been since noon. The low visibility and heavy snow have caused a rash of accidents that have closed some highways including the 20 near Les Cedres west of Montreal. Along the south shore both Highway 30 and 132 are in poor shape with very slow travel and the 15 to the US border is opened but not recommended. Bus lanes will not be in operation on the Champlain Bridge.

Winter Storm Warnings remain in effect for all regions of southern Quebec, Eastern Ontario and northern New England/New York into tonight. The storm will ease overnight with flurries expected Thursday.

Winter Storm Update

Winter Storm Warnings are in effect this morning across Ontario and southwestern Quebec. Snow has overspread the entire region and roads are now snow covered with lowering visibilities especially in the valley. Travel today outside of the major cities is not recommended, and will be difficult everywhere. Anywhere from 20-30cm of snow will fall in Kemptville, Ottawa and Montreal. The heaviest snow will be along the St. Lawrence Valley and US border. Winter Storm Warnings are also in effect for New York and New England. The culprit is a major low pressure area that formed over Texas. The system has been responsible for heavy snow and ice state side with 19 deaths blamed on the storm. Nearly 150,000 homes are without power in the US, many in Oklahoma and Kentucky.

The snow that has started will continue into the overnight hours before tapering off to flurries from west to east. I will post an update on the storm later this morning with pictures.

Winter Storm Warning

The calm before the storm. The view from my new home on the St. Lawrence River looking at the sun setting over the western suburbs of Montreal today.

Whew what a couple of days it has been, as I have just finished moving. It has left me at times tired and far from my computer and the weather. I am now settled in my new home and off we go. It is just in time for a classic nor'easter. Lots of cold air is in place across the St. Lawrence Valley, Ontario and Quebec, New York and Vermont. Low pressure is developing across the Gulf states and will move towards New England on Wednesday. Expect snow to overspread the area from southwest to northeast very early Wednesday. It should reach Kemptville be daybreak and Montreal by mid morning. The snow will become heavy and be accompanied by strong northeast winds in Montreal of 30-50km/h. The snow and blowing snow will cause very poor travel conditions along all area highways. The weather will only improve Thursday. Present accumulation estimates are for 15cm in Kemptville and 15-25cm in Montreal. Warnings have been posted for southwestern Quebec but not at this time for Ontario. Regardless of the warning criteria, wherever you are in our area you can expect a storm tomorrow.

Winter Storm Warning: Southwestern Quebec, New York and Vermont

More arctic air...snowstorm?

I had it all planned - win the $43 million 6/49 and buy this 2010 Dodge Challenger Hemi for a cool $49,000. It was much warmer inside this weekend at the Montreal car show.

It is another frigid morning across the region with temperatures of -29C in Kemptville and -25C in Montreal.The ice fog is pouring off the St. Lawrence River icing up the area bridges and elevated roadways. Today will be sunny and dry across the area and that will continue into Tuesday.

Strong low pressure is then expected to organize across the Tennessee Valley and move towards southern New England. It is becoming more likely that a major storm with heavy snow and wind will occur from Vermont and southern New York east. We will be on the extreme northern edge of the system with just cloud cover, flurries and cold northeast winds on Wednesday. It is still early and if the system wobbles west just a little the forecast could change. If you are travelling south into New York be aware of the storm on Wednesday and watch for updates on it regarding Ontario and Quebec.

Cold weekend ahead

Arctic high pressure is poised to settle across Ontario and Quebec this weekend giving both provinces another cold spell. It will however be dry with no major storms in sight for the foreseeable future. The only snow will occur later today as a weak clipper and associated arctic front move across the both provinces form west to east. A brief period of steady snow will accumulate 2-5cm across most regions from this afternoon into the early overnight period. The snow will be accompanied by gusty winds. After a high close to the freezing point in most localities it will drop to -20C tonight and not warm much tomorrow or Sunday. Skies will clear by noon on Saturday.

Snow Squalls

Blowing snow along Highway 15 south near the St. Lawrence River today.

A sharp arctic front is slipping south across the Ottawa Valley this afternoon heading towards the St. Lawrence Valley and Montreal. The Quebec Weather Centre has posted a snow squall warning for most of southwestern Quebec. These are very similar to Summer thunderstorms. Quick bursts of precipitation with gusty winds. In this case it will be snow as the temperature is hovering around the freezing point at this hour. Look for the front to cross the region during the afternoon rush hour. Only a centimetre or two of snow will fall but with the gusty winds to 60km/h it could create poor travel conditions very quickly.

Eastern Ontario can also expect theses squalls from 4pm near Ottawa to 6pm along the 401.

Tomorrow another clipper will give 2-4cm of snow before an arctic high pressure moves in for the weekend with sunny skies and cold weather.

Another Arctic dip

Ice fog rises off the St. Lawrence in Montreal this morning. SB photo.

Cold air banked over Nunavut has pushed into eastern Ontario and Montreal today with temperatures as cold as -25C across the region and gusty west winds. A weak area of low pressure will slide down the St. Lawrence Valley today with just a trace of light snow maybe 1cm in most areas. The snow will bring milder air along for the ride and that will produce a fairly mild day Thursday before a cold front slices across the area on Friday. That cold front will usher in another weekend of well below normal temperatures with lows in the -20's and highs no better than -15C. The next potential for significant snow will not come until early next week.

First in Flight, last in snow removal...

Below: Yesterday while parts of BC and Alberta basked in double digit highs, snow wind and cold settled as far south as the Carolinas with 10-15cm of snow and gusty winds. A state of emergency was declared across coastal North Carolina. Photo Courtesy WRAL.com

Inauguration Weather

What a proud, historical and memorable day south of the border in the US as Barack Obama takes the Presidential oath and is sworn in as the nations 44th President. Millions are descending on Washington D.C. in a sea of humanity and thankfully the weather is good. Some Inaugurations have bee plagued with snow and cold or rain.

This year the weather is mainly sunny with just a few flurries. A major winter storm is actually affecting Virginia and the Carolina's with snow right out to the coast, however it will stay south of D.C. In Washington, it is currently -6C with a windchill of -11C. The high is expected to be 0C.

Record Warmth in Alberta

It was warm in Alberta yesterday. How warm? Well a 109 year old record fell in Edmonton where the mercury soared to 10C. It was 14C in Calgary. Most of the snow from this cold winter has melted away as their January thaw continues today. It appears we will not have a thaw this year, at least according to the extended forecast that shows no above 0C weather before months end.

Kemptville and Montreal were both around -9C yesterday, this felt very pleasant compared to the -30's of late last week. It will be a fairly quite weather week with just some scattered snow showers and flurries and temperatures close to the normal high of -6C. It will turn sharply colder again by next weekend with the potential for some more significant snow on Saturday.

**I want to thank Andy for a comment he left yesterday regarding Rain-X and washer fluid. I will give it a try. Hey I thought I was the only one who travelled between Merrickville and Montreal on a weekly basis!

** Ryan how can any post with Mallorytown in it go wrong?

Enough with January

Really? Feels closer to the North Pole than the Equator!
It was -27C when I took the photo in Ingleside, Ontario last week.


I am using litres and litres of washer fluid a day, my car is white instead of the normal cherry red and I am tired of January. I hate this month, I must tell you, and this year is no exception. I am in the process of changing jobs and moving all in a month that is not fit for any human being. My apologies to ice fishers and snowmobilers, trust me I envy you, maybe I should take up the sport and embrace the season. So far all that this has meant to me is traffic jam after traffic jam and the dirtiest car ever, and if you know me, you know how much pain that brings to me. Well enough of the static electrical shocks and such and back to weather.

I wish I had better news for this week. I was hoping for a major warm up by the middle of the week, but cold arctic air is very stubborn to move out. It looks like it will hang around with periods of snow today and again on Wednesday and Friday. The Friday system could be a major storm but we are a week out. Last night the clipper that is affecting eastern Ontario and Quebec today with gusty winds and 2-5cm of snow, dumped between 15-25cm on the western end of Lake Ontario including Toronto. The snow was amplified by the lake. Today snow and gusty winds will produce some difficult travel in the eastern part of the province. It has warmed slightly but the wind has increased producing some impressive wind chills. Be safe...

Snow and warmer temperatures

Lake effect snow continues to fall this morning east of Lake Ontario in Watertown, NY. This band is producing 5cm per hour and will dissipate slowly as it moves northward towards the 401 and Mallorytown. Anyone travelling in that area today or on Interstate 81 should expect very changeable weather. Otherwise today will be dry and cold but not nearly as cold as the last few days. It is already -15C in Kemptville which is miles ahead of any other day since Wednesday, Montreal and Ottawa are colder at -22. An Alberta clipper will move east today and spread a general 5-10cm of fluffy snow across our area and into western Quebec. The snow should start late tonight and last into Sunday.

Slight moderation of temperatures

The cold snap that has caused so much misery in Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa and everywhere in between is showing signs of moderating over the weekend. The intense cold has snapped water mains, caused power outages, iced highways, caused fires, stalled cars and produced hundreds of accidents. It has made life generally miserable. I have yet to try and start my car this morning, but Kemptville bottomed out at -32C this last hour, so it could be a challenge. We are one of the coldest places in the region. It will"warm" to -20C today under sunshine. Look for some weak systems to give a couple of centimetres of snow over the weekend, nothing major, but the good news will be temperatures will moderate to -13C Saturday and -9C on Sunday. Keep warm and be safe.

Some images of the cold

Breaking News

Above: Amazing photo of a US Airways Plane down in the Hudson River in NYC. The temperature at the time was only -6C and the water was frigid. All said to have survived.

Salting the black ice on the 416 this afternoon - All photos below by SB

Longeuil, Quebec firefighters faced a daunting job. 40 people had to be evacuated from the building into the cold. True heroes at work.

Steam rises from the water used to put out the flames. Air temperature at the time was -27C.

This is all that is left of the three story unit.

The photos above are of the fire in Brossard last night on Montreal's South Shore.

It was a nasty 24 hours all across Ontario and Quebec. There were water main breaks, hundreds of accidents including a fatal one between North Augusta and Merrickville and several major fires. The temperature has been so cold that black ice has formed on any elevated surface as well as most on/off ramps. Only the 401 was bare and dry on my return trip to Kemptville. Travel with great care the next few days, if the road surface appears wet you can bet it is icy.

Cold weather tightens grip

An arctic outbreak continues to tighten its grip on eastern Canada and the US with the coldest air in the last 4 winters settling south and east. At 7am this morning it was -30 in Kemptville, -36 in the upper Ottawa Valley at Petawawa, -29 at Ottawa and -27 in Montreal. The cold has forced the cancellation of school across the Gatineau region. School buses are having a tough time turning over. In addition roadways in Montreal are slick with numerous accidents. Ice fog off the St. Lawrence River is freezing on contact with the bridges and roads producing black ice. Water main breaks have also closed several roads with icy water flooding into homes. Fire departments were kept busy in the frigid cold overnight including here in Brossard. I will brave the weather and post some photos later.

The coldest night of the year, season and possibly decade will occur tonight with calm winds and clear skies it will drop to between -30C and -40C across all our regions. Prepare yourself for this extreme cold. Dress smart in layers and make sure your car is in top running order. If you must travel long distances carry a tin with candles and extra blankets in your car in case you break down. The cold snap will last at least till Sunday.

Cold Weather Continues

Extreme cold alert on the Champlain Bridge.

The frigid weather continues to play havoc in and around Montreal and most of Ontario and Quebec. In Montreal roads and bridges especially have been slick with numerous accidents reported due to black ice. Water pipes have been snapping, causing water to be cut and flooding many homes in different parts of the city. Homeless shelters have been pushed to the brink with most beds filled. The cold is expected to continue with a re-enforcing shot coming in behind another Alberta Clipper sliding south of the Great Lakes. Any snow from this system will stay south and west of Kingston. Temperatures into the weekend will struggle to reach -20C at any time during the day with lows around -25C in the city and -30C in rural areas.

Dangerous Cold

The Arctic tundra above? Actually it is the St. Lawrence River in the heart of Montreal

It is cold this morning, dangerous cold. The temperature is currently -26C in Kemptville, we hit -27 last hour and -23 in Montreal. The windchill is close to -40C. Don't let the sunshine fool you at this temperature skin can freeze in minutes. The cold air will continue to dive south and east all the way down to Florida. Expect the cold air to tighten its grip on our region and prevail right into this weekend.

Wind Chill Warnings

9:35pm Update: Ottawa is now -16C while Montreal is still 0C. A flash freeze is expected in Montreal, with the temperature dropping 15 degrees by midnight. Winds will increase NW up to 70km/h with snow and blowing snow. Snow squalls are now approaching Montreal and will move through by 11pm.

8:30pm Update: Anatomy of an arctic front... At 8pm Ottawa is -13C with winds NW at 52 Gusting 72km/h. Montreal is 0C. The front is racing east between the two cities at this hour.

4:30PM Update: Wind chill warnings have been extended into eastern Ontario. Look for the combination of wind and cold to produce wind chills below -35C overnight. In addition heavy snow continues to spread into our area at this hour. The next few hours will feature frequent white out conditions on the roads in Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec. Travel with great caution or cancel if possible.

Radar is showing bursts of heavy snow developing along an arctic front in Eastern Ontario at this hour. The heavy snow and gusty winds will cross the Kemptville area in the next couple of hours, with temperatures plummeting behind the front. As the front passes, visibility will drop to near zero in heavy snow and blowing snow making for treacherous driving conditions. Winds are gusting along and behind the front in excess of 50km/h. The wind and snow along with dropping temperatures into the -20's will create dangerous travel into the overnight. These conditions have prompted Special Weather Statements in Ontario, a Winter Weather Advisory in New York and Vermont and Windchill Warnings across most of northern and central Quebec. I expect these will be extended into the south tonight. All this to say it will be nasty, windy and cold with periods of snow. Once the snow ends it will be frigid into Friday. Drive with caution and delay travel if you can. I will post pictures later tonight.

Arctic front update

The coldest weather of the winter and maybe even last winter as well is set to move into Eastern Ontario and western Quebec later today and tonight. The front will blast across Kemptville late today with temperatures plunging more than 10 degrees in the first hour or two. After a high near 0C look for lows to bottom out between -25 and -30C. Winds will be strong gusting over 50km/h producing dangerous wind chills and blowing snow. The snow will be fairly light most of the day, but expect a heavy burst along the front. From 5-10cm is expected in most regions. Radar is showing steady light snow across the region at this hour and it will continue to spread east towards Montreal. It will be an unsettled, breezy and frigid week with some snow by the weekend. Plan your travel accordingly and be prepared for dangerous cold temperatures.

Temperatures set to plunge

An arctic cold front will sweep across Ontario and Quebec on Tuesday from west to east. It will affect southern Ontario first and work its way into Quebec for the evening rush hour. It should move through Kemptville by noon and Montreal by 4pm or so. Most areas will experience a heavy shot of snow with between 5-10cm expected as the front passes. In addition to the snow, winds will shift from southwest to northwest and gust over 60km/h causing blowing and drifting snow and poor visibility. If that were not enough temperatures close to -2C to start the day will begin to plummet and reach -25 to -30C by Wednesday with dangerous wind chills. They will only rise slightly - maybe to -20C for the balance of the week before a slight moderation on Saturday.

**With such a drop in temperatures and strong winds, travel will become very poor on Tuesday as roads ice up and visibility is reduced. Also this extreme cold will be dangerous as wind chills will be near -40C.

Winter Weather Advisories have been posted for upstate New York and a Special Weather Statement has been issued for Ontario.

Arctic blast on the way

A lonely combine sits under the full wolf moon last night near Burritts Rapids.

As expected the low pressure remained south of Kemptville and Montreal last night with just some light snow extending along the 401 towards Cornwall and then south into New York state. Today will be sunny and chilly before another clipper system passes south of our area late Monday and Tuesday. The big news this week will be the arctic cold front that races through the area late Tuesday. The front will be accompanied by snow squalls and strong winds with a quick 5-10cm of snowfall not out of the question. Behind the front the coldest air of the season and maybe last year as well will pour in dropping temperatures close to -30C by Thursday morning and struggling to reach -18C Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Prepare now for the cold, windchill advisories may be needed.

A Cold Weekend

Greetings on this late Friday night in what has been a silly week for me. I'm in between jobs and moving, nothing like changing everything all at once. I hate it when weather takes a back seat to life. It should never be that way.

Needless to say it is cold tonight, -18C right now in Kemptville, not to mention the light breeze and the all important dampness factor. It seems at times that the dampness is worse than the wind. It will be a cold week ahead with the coldest air of the season moving in by Thursday. The snowstorm tomorrow will stay well south of us only affecting the Ohio Valley, Michigan and extrem southwest Ontario near Windsor. Our next snow will come from a clipper and cold front by Tuesday, in the order of 5-10cm. Drive safe and have a great weekend.

Enjoy the Rideau Canal , it is open, but bundle up!

Storm wrap-up

The winter storm that moved across Ontario and Quebec yesterday was responsible for hundreds of accidents, with most, according to the OPP and SQ, caused by driver error and not the weather. Speed and poor tires were the main culprit. Snowfall was impressive with 21cm at Kemptville, 18cm at Ottawa and 24cm in Montreal. This morning flurries and gusty winds causing blowing snow continue across the area with snow covered and slippery roads in most cases. The skies should clear later today, but it will be cold. The cold weather is with us for the foreseeable future. Another storm will pass just south of us on Saturday and may just brush the region with some light snow and gusty winds. Afterwards yet another low will cross the Great Lakes on Monday with some light snow. Behind this system will be the coldest air thus far this winter with lows in the -20's and highs in the minus teens.

Out west the years worth of snow that fell in December in B.C. and Washington State (photo above) is beginning to melt all at once. To add to the misery is heavy rain, in some cases in excess of 200mm. The flooding has washed out roads, caused mudslides and even avalanches. Numerous roads are closed including Interstate 5 and the Sea to Sky Highway. Homes are also being flooded in may regions.

Winter Storm Update

Above: Kemptville at NOON today.

At 1pm very heavy snow continues to fall in bursts over the region. Visibility has been reported under a kilometre at both Ottawa and Montreal. The snow has accumulated more than 10cm so far in Kemptville with at least another 10cm expected today. Storm totals in the St. Lawrence, Ottawa and Rideau Valleys will be in the order of 25cm. Temperatures have remained cold as a northeast wind is keeping the warmer air to our south at bay. It has been in the order of -8C most of the morning with windchill values in the minus teens. Winds are also causing blowing and drifting snow on the open highway. Roads remain poor.

Storm well underway

Steady snow continues to fall across eastern Ontario at this hour with a brisk northeast wind. Roads are snow covered with several centimetres down since it began around 3am this morning. The snow will become quite heavy into the early afternoon, with the possibility of sleet mixing in along the 401 corridor. Look for anywhere between 10-15cm during the daylight hours with another 10cm this evening. The region will have very close to 25cm on the ground by the time the storm moves east. The culprit is low pressure moving across the Ohio Valley and into the St. Lawrence Valley. Meanwhile a second storm will develop near New Jersey and move north. The combination of the two storms will allow precipitation to continue into Thursday morning before tapering off from west to east. Heavy Snowfall Warnings remain in effect for all regions in southern and eastern Ontario, as well as New York and Quebec. Travel is very poor today and will not improve till tomorrow at the earliest. The Upper Canada District School Board cancelled all buses today, as did other boards in southern Ontario.

Update around lunchtime with some photos...

Winter Storm Warning

5pm UPDATE: I am happy with the forecast to this point. It appears we are on track for a major storm. Low pressure in the lower Mississippi Valley will move northeast and pass just south of Ontario and Quebec. Snow will spread into the region overnight from west to east and reach Montreal by daybreak. The snow may mix with freezing rain along the American border. Snowfall amounts will range from 15-30cm with a good 20cm expected in Kemptville and closer to 25cm for Montreal and Cornwall (the Seaway). Winds will be a factor in the St. Lawrence Valley and along the 401 corridor gusting from 30-60km/h causing blowing snow and reduced visibilities. Warnings are in effect for all our regions in Ontario, Quebec, northern New York and New England. Travel will be impacted by this system. Be prepared for very poor road conditions all day Wednesday and into Wednesday night. All precipitation will taper to flurries on Thursday.

12:00PM Update: Watches have been upgraded to warnings across all regions except areas along the immediate St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario. Snow is expected to overspread the area this evening from the south and persist much of Wednesday with 15-20cm expected. The uncertainty along the St. Lawrence and points south is due to the type of precipitation expected which may lower the accumulations. Ice may mix with the snow over those areas. Travel will begin to deteriorate overnight, with the most intense snow occurring Wednesday from mid morning to mid afternoon. Travel may become quite difficult in snow and some blowing snow. It will turn colder with flurries on Thursday.

Winter storm watches are being hoisted across New York, New England, Ontario and Quebec as a new winter storm takes shape over the Gulf States. The low pressure area is forecast to move towards the St. Lawrence Valley on Wednesday before giving way to a new low along the eastern seaboard. The combination of the two systems will spread snow into the Kemptville area after midnight tonight with several centimetres expected by morning. The snow will reach Ottawa and Montreal overnight. On Wednesday all regions will receive steady snow with a mix along the St. Lawrence River and Great Lakes. Look for 10-20cm of snow in most regions. Travel on Wednesday will not be impossible but if you can delay or postpone do so.

Next statement around noon.