Heavy snow along the 416 at 6pm Saturday... PHOTO J. O'Halloran

Surprise Snow pounds 416 Corridor

A wild snowsquall produced low visibilities in heavy snow from Ogdensburg to Kemptville yesterday afternoon around the supper hour. Rain was forecast, but the squall moved in rapidly surprising most motorists, including me. I rarely get caught off guard. A forecast high of 7C with rain assured me of a safe trip to Watertown, NY. The day started with a brilliant sunrise, but rain began at noon, and then winds switched to the east and the air cooled just enough for one of the heaviest shots of snow in this area all winter. From 5-10cm coated everything and it fell in under two hours. Numerous cars hit the ditches.

A more springlike high of 8C with showers and thunderstorms is expected tomorrow and Tuesday will be even warmer, near 20C in Ontario.

Above: Kemptville this morning...Most of the snow melted by 4pm.

The Canadian Coast Guard ship the Martha L. Black, a light icebreaker based in Quebec City today traveling towards Montreal after going through the locks in Iroquois, Ontario on the St. Lawrence River. First commercial ship traffic to begin this Wednesday.

Photo J. Morin

Happy Spring!!!!!!!

Vernal Equinox, 8:07 P.M. EDT
The word equinox is derived from the Latin words meaning "equal night." The vernal, or spring, equinox is the point at which the Sun appears to cross the celestial equator from south to north, signaling the beginning of nature's renewal in the Northern Hemisphere...Old Farmers Almanac

St Patrick's Day Storm...

Snow is tapering off across the area with another 1-5cm expected in the area. Snow began in Kemptville around 9pm last night with the official measurement at 9cm. I have measured close to 15cm on my property so I am not sure why the big difference. In any event 15-25cm fell in most areas with winds of between 30-70km/h. Above and below are photos from this morning of the "9cm" of fresh snow, you be the judge.

Late Winter storm to slam area

A major storm system developing over the Mid-Atlantic Sates will move towards Boston overnight tonight. A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for all of eastern Ontario excluding Ottawa, southern Quebec including Montreal, upstate New York and all of Vermont. Snow and blowing snow will overspread the area by 8pm and accumulate 15-25cm in most areas with 10-15cm in the Ottawa area. The snow will taper off Saturday afternoon. Already travel is being harshly affected in the northeast and expect more delay and cancellations in air travel. This comes on the heals of numerous flight cancellations from fog on Wednesday, ah March!

The snow will hamper Montreal's St Patrick's Day parade on Sunday, but the parade has seen major snow in the past. The storm is affecting the area very close to the anniversary of the March super storm in 1993.

If you can postpone travel Saturday please do so in southern Quebec and the 401 corridor.

The last of the Ice Fishing on the St. Lawrence River near Long Sault.

Photo: ValleyWeather

Warm temperatures and Flooding

Rapid & record warmth is melting the snow pack in a hurry. Area rivers are on the rise. A Flood Watch has been posted for upstate New York and New England. Adding to the flood potential is a slow moving cold front sagging south that is producing showers and the first thunderstorms of the season over Ontario and New York. 15-20mm of rain with isolated heavier amounts is possible over the next 24 hours. The temperature this morning in Kemptville was a warm 9C we are currently 12C, well above normal. Most of our snow disappeared overnight.

Speaking of snow, much colder air and low pressure developing over the US may provide us with a period of heavy wet snow Friday and Saturday. Forecasters use several computer models to help them prepare the forecast for any given area. All the models are proposing different scenarios at the moment, so there is not much confidence with the forecast. Stay tuned - updates to follow.

Spring has Sprung!

Spring is definitely making its presence known across most of southern Canada. Strong southwest winds in Saskatchewan pushed the mercury to the 20C mark in Maple creek, Gravelbourg and Assiniboia. Most of the snow is gone, and a dry southwest wind of 80-100km/h raced through the area. Peak gust was 102km/h in Maple creek.

The wind and record heat, 98F in Riverside California yesterday, fueled wildfires across southern California with fears of a long dry fire season in the west.

Meanwhile Ontario and Quebec are warming up. The mercury should be close to 10C today in many areas with near 20C in Windsor.

But.....

A strong cold front will bring us back to reality by Friday, with dare I say snow in the air...more on that later.

BIG Warm-up on the way

After the record setting cold of the last two nights a significant warm up is underway. It was -28C Wednesday morning, -26C yesterday and this morning in Kemptville. The transition will be marked by a little Freezing Rain in the St. Lawrence and Ottawa Valley's overnight. I have put the Special Weather Statement below. After the freezing rain, it will be mild right through next week with off and on showers. We could reach as high as 10C by mid-week.

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT ISSUED BY ENVIRONMENT CANADA ONTARIO REGION. 4:34 AM EST FRIDAY9 MARCH 2007.

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT ISSUED FOR...
BANCROFT - BON ECHO PARK CITY OF OTTAWA GATINEAU PRESCOTT AND RUSSELL CORNWALL - MORRISBURG HALIBURTON RENFREW - PEMBROKE - BARRY'S BAY ALGONQUIN.

A WARM FRONTAL SYSTEM WILL BE MOVING OVER THESE REGIONS FRIDAY NIGHT. AT THIS POINT IT IS EXPECTED THAT PRECIPITATION WILL BEGIN AS SNOW OVERNIGHT AND SWITCH TO RAIN SATURDAY MORNING. THERE IS HOWEVER THE RISK OF SEVERAL HOURS OF FREEZING RAIN IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS BEFORE THE TRANSITION TO ABOVE FREEZING TEMPERATURES IS COMPLETE. ENVIRONMENT CANADA IS MONITORING THE SITUATION CLOSELY AND WILL ISSUE A FREEZING RAIN WARNING FOR THE APPROPRIATE AREAS IF AND WHEN IT BECOMES NECESSARY. LISTEN FOR FURTHER STATEMENTS. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION MAY ALSO BE FOUND BY CONSULTING THE LATEST PUBLIC FORECAST. http://www.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/city/pages/on-74_metric_e.html

Numerous accidents across region...

There were scores of accidents yesterday as high winds and squalls created white outs across Ontario. The picture above was taken by the Editor of The Iroquois Chieftain, Joe Morin along Highway 2 between Morrisburg and Iroquois. It had to be closed after several cars hit the ditch.

There were serious accidents north of Toronto as well where 75 cars were involved in a pile up on highway 400. Numerous injuries, some serious occurred.

The wind ushered in the coldest air of the season. It was -26C in Kemptville this morning with wind chills approaching -40C

Temperatures to plummet...

An Arctic front is on our doorstep this morning. The front just to the west of Ottawa at 7am will dive south and east across the forecast district today with temperatures dropping to -25 by Tuesday morning, and winds increasing. About 5cm of snow will accompany the front in heavy bursts along with 70km/h winds. The winds will persist into the evening producing cold windchill values and blowing snow. If travelling today be prepared for changeable weather. A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for the mountains across New York and Vermont. Lake Effect Snow Advisories are posted for the lee of the lakes. Windchill Advisories are also posted for southwest Ontario including the GTA.

The high school in Enterprise, Alabama was destroyed yesterday...

Powerful Storm moves east

What a storm system, it was not bad right here in Kemptville, only about 10cm of ice and snow fell, but it had far reaching effects elsewhere. The storm produced a terrible amount of severe weather across the US south including Alabama. In Enterprise (Above) the twisters struck a school killing 8 students. The toll across the south from storms has exceeded 20. It has been an awful start to the severe weather season in Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi among other states.

In our area 10-20cm of sleet and ice and snow coated roads producing hundreds of accidents, several fatal. The 401 was closed in Kingston and again near Prescott because of serious accidents. The snow has moved east for the most part and is now over Montreal where it will end shortly. Winds were reported in the 30-50km/h range with the storm, however peak gusts of 85km/h were reported in North Bay and Toronto Island. Over 45mm or rain fell in Windsor/Detroit and thunder was reported as well.

Ice was falling off of the CN Tower this afternoon creating a very dangerous situation.

Only snow squalls and flurries will remain for the weekend. Icy patches still exist across Ontario so travel with care.

Highway 44 in North Grenville was icy today....

Winter Storm on our doorstep

The much talked about Winter Storm in as far east as Kingston at 3pm. Snow, sleet and Freezing rain has been falling across all of southwest Ontario with icing problems occurring. The snow will begin in Kemptville by about 9pm and into Montreal close to midnight. By morning amounts in the 10cm range could be on the ground with another 10cm on Friday. Winds will be a factor out of the east at 40-60kn/h and gusting over 70km/h in Montreal. Expect travel to be difficult on Friday. North/South roads like highway 13 and 15 will be difficult as will be the 401 between the Ontario border and Belleville.

Avoid travel if at all possible on Friday. It is always difficult to predict how much snow will fall in Kemptville, as we saw with the last storm. Best bets are that the heaviest snow will fall over Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec between Montreal, Ottawa and Cornwall. Checking with area weather offices the consensus seems to be for 15-25cm storm totals by Saturday morning.

Click on this link for updated warnings...Winter Storm Warnings are posted for all of our areas around the two provinces and upstate New York.

Major Storm for Valley

A Winter Storm Watch is now in effect for the entire area. Snow will overspread the region on Thursday from a developing low pressure area over the Midwest. It appears the heaviest snow will fall along the St. Lawrence Valley in Ontario, Quebec and New York with over 20cm expected. Gusty east winds will cause blowing snow. Temperatures will be mild so the snow will be wet and heavy. There is a risk of some sleet and freezing rain as well.

Travel will be very poor on Friday. Plan accordingly. More updates to follow....use the links along the side as well.

Storm by weeks end for
Ontario & Quebec

Low pressure developing over the US Midwest is expected to track towards the Ohio Valley and Great Lakes by Thursday and Friday. Snow, sleet and freezing rain in important quantities can be expected in the Seaway Valley, Ottawa and Montreal. A Special Weather Statement has been posted.

The storms exact track is still in question, but plan for poor travel in New England, New York, Ontario and southwest Quebec Thursday through Saturday morning. I will update this weather early Wednesday morning.

This is what 20 inches of snow looks like!

I took this in the border town of

Champlain, NY on Saturday.

Blame it on Alberta or thank them....

A series of Alberta Clippers and a flattened jet stream is calming the weather picture and moderating the temperatures in Ontario and Quebec. Much milder air is streaming northward in advance of the clippers - warming temperatures by as much as 20 degrees since yesterday morning. It is the first mild air in almost a month. A little light precipitation is occurring, patchy at best. A stronger clipper will dump 5-10cm of snow across the area Thursday.

The weekend will be excellent but a storm is moving in for late Sunday and Monday...more on that later.

Avalanche Risk High

You do not usually associate this with the Adirondacks, Green Mountains or the Townships, but this is good advice for anyone venturing into those areas this weekend...

937 AM EST THU FEB 15 2007...RISK FOR AVALANCHES IN THE NORTH COUNTRY...YESTERDAYS RECORD SNOWFALL HAS CREATED THE POTENTIAL FOR AVALANCHES IN THE BACK COUNTRY OF THE GREEN MOUNTAINS IN VERMONT AND THE ADIRONDACKS IN NORTHERN NEW YORK...ACCORDING TO STOWE MOUNTAIN RESCUE OFFICIALS. OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS HEADING INTO THE BACK COUNTRY THROUGH THE WEEKEND NEED TO BE AWARE OF THE AVALANCHE DANGER...AND RISKS INVOLVED. STEEP...OPEN SLOPES WILL HAVE THE HIGHEST AVALANCHE RISK. THE CONDITIONS CREATING THE AVALANCHE POTENTIAL WILL CONTINUE INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK. IF YOU GO INTO THE ADIRONDACKS OR GREEN MOUNTAINS TO SNOWSHOE...SKI...OR ICE CLIMB...BE AWARE OF THE AVALANCHE DANGER...AND TAKE APPROPRIATE PRECAUTIONS.

Waterbury, Vermont-from my weather pal Jesse at AccuWeather.com

Weather bubble holds
Storm blasts some areas...not us

Well what can I say, once again the Kemptville weather bubble held. While areas all around us received heavy snow, we had the typical angel dust all day. Check out Waterbury/Stowe Vermont above....love that place! May move there one day!



The following is a partial preliminary list of amounts so far.

Kemptville 5cm at MNR building -
but this is too low I recorded at least double that around 10cm and another 2 or so overnight.
Montreal 15cm
Ottawa 12-17cm
Cornwall 25cm
Quebec City 25-40cm
Hamilton, ON 46cm
Sherbrooke, QC 50cm
Waterbury, Vermont 60cm



Winds will remain gusty today all areas with blowing snow. Travel slowly roads are still snow covered and icy.

Storm contiues....

Here is the latest.....

Blizzard Warning for all of New England and northern New York except the St. Lawrence Valley which is under a Winter Storm Warning, as is Eastern Ontario and southern Quebec.

Snow and blowing snow will continue till midnight with the heaviest snow south and east of Kemptville. Warnings were extended to Ottawa and Smiths Falls this afternoon. For all these regions close to 20cm will be on the ground.

For Cornwall and Montreal the snow will be more in the 30cm range.

For the Eastern Townships, Adirondacks, Green Mountains and Champlain Valley 40-60cm

Travel is not advised here where blizzard conditions are occurring.

Of Note Logan in Boston, La Guardia, JFK and Midway are closed according to FAA.COM - Elsewhere flights have been canceled in Toronto and Montreal, call ahead first.

Storm digs in

The big winter storm is reorganizing rapidly off the New Jersey coast this afternoon. Snow has been falling lightly in Kemptville all day, with winds slowly increasing. This trend will continue all afternoon. I am happy with the 15-20cm prediction for our area. Amounts and winds will increase rapidly as you head south and east. Montreal can expect at least 30cm of snow.
Radar returns are showing snow along I-87 and I-89 at 5-10cm per hour! Forecasters have a Blizzard Warnings posted and travel is not advised.
Burlington was down to a 1/4 mile visibility in heavy snow at noon. This will continue well into the overnight period with winds increasing to 30-60km/h an higher.

Travel with great care today roads through out the region are snow covered.

All Buses Cancelled in Leeds/Grenville
Valentines Day Storm

The snow began in Kemptville in the pre-dawn hours and is expected to last all day. The culprit is low pressure near Kentucky this morning and a secondary powerful storm developing off Cape Hatteras. As the second storm moves north the snow will become heavy over New England, New York and the St. Lawrence Valley.

At present over 20cm is expected in Kemptville and Montreal. This amount will easily be reached in Montreal and even more to the south. In New England 1-2 feet is forecast with travel not recommended.

Winter Storm Warnings are posted for all areas except metro Ottawa.
Blizzard Warnings are posted for all of New England and northern New York

Be very safe and travel wisely today......