Warnings Extended to Montreal and Kemptville
Major Storm heads for area

A powerful winter storm from the US Midwest will slide south of the area tomorrow and deepen rapidly off the Atlantic Coast. The storm will interact with the arctic air over our area and produce a wide swath of heavy snow. Heavy Snow and blowing snow warnings are now in effect for all of Upstate New York, Northern New England and southern Quebec and Ontario, including Kemptville, the Seaway Valley and Montreal.
The snow will begin after midnight tonight in our area and taper off late Wednesday. During the entire event it will remain bitterly cold with strong northeast winds over 50km/h. Near blizzard conditions will occur in may areas. Storm totals will be from 15-30cm in Ontario and Quebec and 30-60cm in New England and New York.

Avoid all unnecessary travel tomorrow along the 401/20 corridor.....stay tuned.

Heavy Snow Ontario-Quebec-New York

The winter storm sweeping into Ontario from the Midwest US will arrive in our area tonight. Snow accompanied by gusty winds and very cold temperatures will develop by evening and continue into Wednesday. The heaviest snow will fall along and south of the St. Lawrence River. Ottawa is expecting 10cm with Kemptville and Montreal around 15cm. Over 20cm will fall in New York State with as much as 40cm in the Adirondacks. This will be a very cold storm with winds of 30-50km/h and very cold wind chills. Travel will be difficult in many areas beginning tonight. The storm will arrive today in southwest Ontario so travel there will be bad today.

Heavy Snow Warning: New York/Vermont
Winter Storm Warning: South Shore of Montreal and Eastern Townships

Above: Over 10 feet!!! of snow has fallen in Mexico, NY in Oswego County.

More is on the way!

BIG Storm for
Great Lakes and St. Lawrence

Winter Storm Watches are flying over parts of Ontario and New York and will be extended into Eastern Ontario and Quebec tomorrow. The culprit is a major storm developing along the southern jet stream that will collide with this arctic air mass over our area. The result will be snow spreading from west to east across Ontario on Tuesday. It will continue into Wednesday combined with blustery east winds and biting cold. A general 15-30cm could fall across the watch area by Wednesday night. As the forecast track becomes more clear, the watches may be upgraded. Travel along the 401 corridor and south into the US will be very difficult tomorrow and Wednesday. The snow will taper off late Wednesday in Ontario.

• Yesterday strong southwest winds gusted over 60km/h and created blowing snow across area roads. Several accidents were reported.

The picture below is SD&G County Road 1.

State of Emergency

Declared in Oswego County

• In response to the more than 6 feet of snow that has buried Oswego, New York, the county has declared a State of Emergency at 9:15 this morning. The snow has been relentless since the weekend and another 1-2 feet is expected by late Friday. The snow has closed schools, businesses and roads. The declaration will allow for help to pour into the area to help with the clean up and aftermath.
• The snow and cold is a result of strong winds passing over the warmer Lake Ontario waters. The same is occurring north of the border off Lake Huron in places like Wiarton and Owen Sound.
• Elsewhere flurries and gusty winds are creating dangerous wind chills. The snow has been blamed on 16 deaths south of the border. On its closest approach to the Seaway and Kemptville, the snow reached only from Brockville to southern St. Lawrence County and the western Adirondacks, but no further north and east this week.

More squalls for
Upstate New York and Ontario

A heavy snowsquall this afternoon is brushing Prince Edward County with 15-25cm of snow. Travel is difficult in that area and along the adjacent 401. Snowy cold weather will continue in these areas. Elsewhere cold, and blustery weather with a few flurries will occur across eastern Ontario and Quebec.

If you are travelling south of the border down Interstate 81, keep in mind that travel in that area is difficult as well. A persistent snow band about 10 miles wide is moving north again into Jefferson County. It may affect Watertown again. Watertown received almost 30 inches of snow Friday through Sunday. Portions of I-81 were closed stranding travellers at the Salmon Run Mall. The same can be expected tonight. Go inland around this area if you can.

This pattern is expected to continue into the weekend. Stay tuned for more information - but travel with great care around any of the Great Lakes for the next few days.

No Shadow for Phil or Willie

Despite the snow squalls, biting cold and blizzards this week, both Phil and Willie expect an early spring. I on the other hand disagree, but what do I know!

Greetings from Punxsutawney!
Phil Says Spring is Right Around the Corner!
Phil's official forecast as read 2/2/07 at 7:28 a.m. at Gobbler's Knob:

El Nino has caused high winds, heavy snow,

ice and freezing temperatures in the west.

Here in the East with much mild winter weather we have been blessed.
Global warming has caused a great debate.

This mild winter makes it seem just great.
On this Groundhog Day we think of one thing.

Will we have winter or will we have spring?
On Gobbler's Knob I see no shadow today.

I predict that early spring is on the way.

And from Willie......

There was no shadow on the ground

Which means that spring will come around.

Flowers will bloom and life will begin

The waters will warm then we can jump in.

Children will laugh as they learn to ride

Boaters will rise and fall with the tide

The golfers appear out on the greens

People line up to taste new ice creams.

A warm breeze will brush on your cheek

The waters will rise on some of the creeks

Farmers will plant their first set of crops

Windows and doors will open on shops

The Town of South Bruce Peninsula is worth driving to

If your looking for springtime activities to do.

Ride a horse, catch a fish, hike the trails, if you can.

So many things to do you might need a plan.

If you don’t have time to enjoy everything.

Feel free to visit again in the spring.

There’s plenty to do throughout the whole year.

Especially now that spring time is near!

C. Wyonch

Downtown Kemptville at 9am today

Warnings issued for Merrickville & Kemptville
Squalls affecting Kemptville and 401


A series of snow squalls riding on moist southwest winds off Lake Ontario is currently affecting Leeds and Grenville Counties. A Snow Squall Warning has been posted for the counties bordering Lakes Ontario & Erie as far east as the 416 and north as Kemptville. All highways in the area are snow covered and visibility is poor in blowing snow. The squalls should last most of the day and will accumulate 10-15cm locally. This will be followed by another system giving another 5-8cm of snow on Friday. More cold arctic air will plunge south over the weekend and into next week.

Keep your pets warm as well this weekend!

Serious Cold over Ontario & Quebec

A biting northwest wind is bringing the coldest air of the season across from the far north, over the Great Lakes and into the St. Lawrence Valley. Currently it is -20C with a windchill of -29C in Kemptville. It will "warm" a few degrees this afternoon but the wind will see that it remains dangerously cold. Windchill Warnings remain in effect for the St. Lawrence Valley today. Some flurry activity occurred as well. This created black ice on many roads.

Yesterday, squalls to the lee side of Lake Erie created a massive pile up on I-90 near Erie, PA. killing one.

Tomorrow- a clipper type system will move through our area with 2-5cm of snow and gusty winds. Behind the storm more cold air will be drawn south. The changeable winds will also cause more snow squalls along the Great Lakes. Travel with great care this weekend and make certain you have warm clothing in case your car breaks down. The cold air will last well into next week.

Polar Vortex set to move south

Sounds scary doesn't it. It should! The coldest air of the season is set to move into Ontario and New York this week. It is already having an effect on our weather as snow squalls developed in the southwest flow ahead of the polar front. 5-10cm of snow fell quickly in a stretch along the 401 from Belleville to Brockville today. Roads are slick and cars are in the ditch.

Further south in New York State, Lake Effect Snow advisories have been posted for St. Lawrence, Franklin and Jefferson Counties. 10-15cm of snow may fall in those locations. Gusty winds and dropping temperatures will occur as well. As the front approaches our area overnight, a shot of 5cm or so of snow may occur in Kemptville and the 416 corridor. Once the front passes very cold arctic air will surge south with temperatures dropping to -25 to -30C on Thursday and Friday mornings.

Winter weather woes

Above: AP Photo of Snow in Southern California. It fell for the first time since 1962. It is spreading east tonight into Texas and the deep South.

Meanwhile AP Photo of ice accumulation on trees and power lines, that has caused scores of power grids to fail across the Midwest US and now the Southeast. Over 60 deaths have now been blamed on the storms. Snow will spread into New England, Eastern Quebec and the Maritimes tonight and Friday.

Bitter Cold in Kemptville
More Winter Weather on the way

The snow of this week will be around for some time to come. Kemptville received about 10cm from Monday's storm with Ottawa 10cm and Montreal and The Seaway closer to 20cm.

The snow was followed by brisk winds and biting cold. This morning Kemptville bottomed out at -27C for our coldest morning in nearly two years. The extended forecast will see more cold air dive south for the weekend. Temperatures will warm slightly with flurries tomorrow and Friday. A general 5cm of snow may accumulate in our regions (Montreal/Ottawa/Kingston) with more across higher terrain and near the snowbelts of Lakes Erie and Huron. As the snow tapers late Friday more arctic air on strong northwest winds will develop. A departing coastal storm that is providing lots of ice across the deep south today will move into the Maratimes this weekend. Heavy snow will fall in New Brunswick and Eastern Quebec.

Next week several clipper systems will bring more light snow, wind and cold to the Great Lakes and Quebec. Winter is here for a little while longer!

Stormy day in Ontario & Quebec

The first snowstorm of the season is upon us. Snow began falling in Kemptville about 5am this morning and will spread east into Quebec as the day progresses. A general 10-15cm snowfall is expected with closer to 20cm along the US border. Freezing Rain and sleet is not out of the question in places. The 401 corridor is not recommended for travel today. If you can delay; tomorrow will be great. Winter Storm Warnings are in effect for the St. Lawrence Valley on both sides of the border and for southwest Quebec. Warnings are also posted for New York & Vermont.

The coldest air of the season will pour in behind the storm with temperatures down to minus 25C by Wednesday morning. More snow is expected later in the week.

The same storm has produced an ice storm from north central Texas into Illinois with power outages reported. In Ohio and Pennsylvania major flooding has occurred.

Winter Storm Watch

A Winter Storm Watch has been posted for the entire St. Lawrence Valley.
Low pressure organizing in the Midwest US will slide along a frontal boundary south of our area Monday. Snow will begin in Kemptville overnight and taper to flurries late Monday. Amounts are tricky as we will be on the fringe of the storm. Ottawa can expect 5-10cm while Kemptville south to the US frontier about 10-15cm.

On the US side watches have already been upgraded to warnings with 10-25cm of snow forecast. It will be a cold snow, unlike what we have had so far this year. Winds will be only about 30km/h throughout the storm. Roads will be icy and slippery. Plan your travel accordingly. Stay tuned for updates....

Potential Northeast
Snowstorm Sunday

As you go about your weekend routine keep and eye on the latest forecast. The front that is expected to slide through Ontario, Quebec and New England will stall south of our area tomorrow. Low pressure will develop in the Ohio Valley and intensify as it moves to the Atlantic Coast. At this time the potential exists for 15 or more cm (6 inches) of snow Sunday into Monday in Eastern Ontario, Ottawa and Montreal. Winds may produce blowing snow as well. It will be very cold - not like recent snow events. Stay tuned for further updates as the forecast becomes more clear.

Blizzard intensifies in
Saskatoon area

The Blizzard affecting central Saskatchewan has Saskatoon and area roads closed. Visibility at the airport has been zero for the last 7 hours with winds over 80km/h and moderate snow.

The following roads are closed according to Sask Highways:

TRAVEL NOT RECCOMENDED west of Yorkton towards Saskatoon, nor for highways north of Yorkton and east towards the Manitoba Border
HIGHWAYS IN WYNYARD AREA ARE TEMPORARILY CLOSED The following highways in the Saskatoon area are temporarily CLOSED due to zero visibility, blowing and drifting snow, and travel not recommended.Hwy 5, 41, 16, 11, 12, 7, 14, 219, 27, 2, 312, 20, 225, 320. North Battleford Area highways are temporarily closed due to zero visibility, blowing and drifting snow, and travel not recommended.
TRAVEL NOT RECOMMENDED In Unity, Kerrobert, Kindersley, Eston and Rosetown areas. #3 Highway East and West of Melfort is CLOSED due to Zero Visibility, Loose Snow, Snow Drifts, Swirling Snow, Drifting Snow, Travel is not recommended in the Tisdale, Nipawin, Melfort and Cumberland House areas.
TRAVEL NOT RECCOMENDED throughout the Prince Albert AreaMeadow Lake Area Highways are temporarily CLOSED due to zero visibility, blowing and drifting snow. Hwy 905 Points North Landing to Black Lake - water across road at km 21...

Blizzard across Saskatchewan
Colder in the east

Could it be that the much anticipated winter of 2006/2007 is finally upon us. The mild weather has had everyone and their sister speculating that Global Warming had reached us finally. This may be the case, too soon to tell, but I have a feeling this particular mild spell is more dramatic and short term in duration then Global Warming will be. Blame this warm spell and wild weather on El Nino.

We enjoyed double digit record highs last weekend, and even though it is -11C in Kemptville today, it really is not as cold as it should be. That is about to change and has already for some parts of the country. A fierce blizzard has closed highways and schools in Alberta and Saskcatchewan today. It will spread east into Manitoba. Meanwhile a storm system is expected to gather strenght in the US southwest and combined with cold air over our area, may provide us with freezing rain and snow into next week. It will definately turn colder next week and stay that way for awhile. Temperatures in Alberta will plummet into the -30C range with some of that cold air spreading east.

Prepare yourself for a shock now by getting out your boots and making sure your car is ready in Ontario and Quebec. It is on the way!!

Photo above is the little snow that fell over the

holiday period, about 12cm on Boxing Day.

Happy New Year everyone.....

Different year, Same weather!

The New Year has arrived with more incredible warmth here in Ontario and Quebec. It is 5C today or about 10-15 degrees above normal. We have had a run of 20-25 days above normal in Eastern Ontario, Northern New York and Southwest Quebec. Temperatures have been well above normal, and will continue that way into this weekend. As a matter of fact forecast highs in the teens Celsius may break all time records for Montreal over the weekend. No cold air or snowstorms are expected for the near future. A slight cool down will occur by Sunday.

Snowmobiles continue to sit idle and the Rideau Canal in Ottawa has no ice on it. We may be looking at an ice free year on the canal if we do not get some cold weather soon.

Black ice may be a problem on roads as evening temperatures sit just near 0C and frost occurs on elevated and shaded surfaces. Several cars hit the ditch this morning.

Christmas Greetings everyone....
After a long break from any type of severe weather a potent storm, that gave the major blizzard to the high plains, is moving towards Ontario. The storm will past well west of our area and bring more mild air with it. Before that happens freezing rain will develop in the St. Lawrence and Ottawa Valley this afternoon and tonight. Freezing Rain Warnings have been posted for those areas. With holiday travel and shopping on deck, you are advised to proceed with caution today.

After this storm Christmas will be quiet, our attention will turn to Boxing Day and a potential east coast snowstorm. Early indications are that this storm may move close enough to the coast to dump heavy snow on the Ohio Valley, interior New England and eastern Ontario & west Quebec. It is still early but in any event plan for winter weather driving, something we have not had in some time.

Again Merry Christmas and Be Safe!

Tree damage in Kemptville

250,000 without power
at height of Storm
What an introduction to winter and the mont of December. The powerful winter storm that swept in from the southern US dumped all kinds of precipitation on Ontario and Quebec. A major ice storm in the Ottawa and Rideau Valley's cut power to almost 250,000 homes in Ontario and Quebec. The ice, in some case nearly 25mm of it, downed scores of trees across the area and east into Montreal. The damage was quite extensive with downed power lines and snapped poles. Just a walk around my property revealed tremendous tree damages.

Roads were icy from Kemptville north with many cars in the ditch Friday and Saturday morning. I even witnessed thunder and lightning in the Seaway. The two day rain total for Kemptville was over 50mm.

Power was restored to most areas by Sunday morning. We had to close down work early Friday as a result of the storm knocking out power. If that were not enough, the ice laden trees were whipped by 70-90km/h per hour winds overnight into Saturday morning.

Further west it was heavy snow across the upper Midwest and northern plains. Cold air in the back side of the storm and flurries invaded the region yesterday and today.

Ice in Kemptville Friday...

Storm Update...

The winter storm affecting portions of Ontario and Quebec today is reaching far west and south. At 12 NOON today it is at the freezing point in Kemptville with moderate rain. It is currently snowing in Renfrew and Freezing Rain in Montreal, Cornwall and Ottawa. Road surfaces in our area appear to be ice free.

To the south severe thunderstorms with some tornadic activity have sprouted up in the warm sector of the storm across Ohio and Pennsylvania. Meanwhile Blizzard conditions prevail across the upper Midwest in Michigan and Wisconsin.

The back edge of the precipitation is moving into southwest Ontario. By the supper hour the precip should begin to taper off in Kemptville and Leeds Grenville. It will last longer in Montreal. Winds will become gusty in the St. Lawrence Valley and along Lake Ontario shoreline.