A taste of spring

A sad and surreal sight on Monday as snow covers tornado damage in Kentucky.

Warm weather is on our doorstep here in southern Quebec. We had another cold start to the day with temperatures close to -18C in many areas. The bright March sun quickly made it feel much better and we are sitting at -4C here on L'Ile Perrot at 5pm. Despite the cold start to the day I even noticed a little bit of melting in my back yard this morning. There will be lots more of that over the next 24 to 48 hours as high pressure moves off the east coast and sets of a mild southerly flow of air. Temperatures will rise slowly overnight and on Wednesday soar to plus 10C or 11C. A few flurries will accompany the warm air overnight as it streams into the region.

Warm temperatures are expected up and down the east coast including tornado ravaged Kentucky which could use the good weather to help with clean up and recovery efforts. Winds are forecast to increase out of the southwest in the St. Lawrence Valley and gust as high as 70km/h on Wednesday. Another warm day is on tap for Thursday before a cold front brings us some showers and cooler temperatures later in the day. Friday at this point looks more seasonable with perhaps a few flurries or showers.

Winter weather is holding on in Newfoundland tonight as a blizzard bears down on St. John's and the eastern portion of the province. The heavy snow is just about to start along the coast as low pressure moves just offshore. Up to 30cm of snow is expected, accompanied by strong winds approaching hurricane force in coastal communities. Inland snow and blowing snow is forecast with 10-20cm and 100km/h wind gusts.

Big warm-up this week

It is a very cold Monday morning across southern Quebec. I am rather surprised at just how cold it is here at my home on L'Ile Perrot, I am currently showing -17C with a windchill of -23C. Skies cleared out overnight allowing for a rapid drop in temperatures. Most areas of southern Quebec and eastern Ontario still have snow cover so this helps generate the colder readings. We are in for a major warming trend this week that will see big time melting of the snow pack with spring definitely in the air. Temperatures will be chilly today no better than -8C. We are looking at another cold night tonight around -15C for lows in the area. Tuesday will be much milder with temperatures beginning a sharp rise on southwest winds that will see highs near 0C and all the way up to plus 10 or 11C (50 to 52F) on Wednesday and Thursday. A few showers are possible later in the week, but otherwise no major precipitation is forecast at this time. While in normal winters I would still believe we have a snowfall or two left to go this early in March, this year has been so strange, this could likely be it for winter 2011/2012.

Thoughts on tornadoes & the blizzard of 1971

What more can you say about the violent storms in the Midwest and south, the damage leaves you struggling for words. CNN.com

Winds have abated this morning across the Montreal area after reaching speeds of as high as 90km/h in Montreal and over 100km/h in eastern Ontario. Power was out to thousands in Ontario, but little damage was reported in our region. The storm was deadly and widespread with traffic accidents in snow and wind and tornadoes claiming dozens of lives from Quebec south into Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana and Alabama. I was looking at pictures from the Appalachian town of West Liberty, Kentucky. The images leave you without words. The damage is complete, from small trailer homes that you would expect to be destroyed in an EF-3 storm all the way up to solid brick buildings that have stood for many decades. There is no structure left untouched and the town will have to be rebuilt. Of the 34 deaths from Friday's outbreak, 17 occurred in Kentucky, 1 in West Liberty.

The cold front responsible for all the tornadoes, 97 in all, is well off the east coast this morning leaving in its wake clearing skies and much colder temperatures. To add to the misery some portions of the disaster area will see 2 to 3 inches of snow tonight.

Blizzard of 1971...

I have posted two more images from the vault at Radio Canada. They are of the famous Montreal blizzard of March 3rd and 4th, 1971. Close to 50cm of snow fell driven around by near hurricane force winds up to 111km/h. This is what started it all for me in weather. Read more about it from my previous blog post HERE.

High Wind Warning

There is lots to talk about this morning so I will start with a high wind warning in effect for the entire St. Lawrence Valley. Winds have already gusted to 59km/h here at Trudeau Airport and they will continue to increase as a strong cold front approaches the region. Winds will come out of the southwest and gust to 90km/h by the noon hour in Montreal. Winds in Ontario have peaked at 107km/h at St. Catherines, 96km/h at Long Point on Lake Erie, 91km/h at Toronto and 86km/h at Cobourg.

This morning we are seeing more convection developing along the cold front just west of our region. Look for a few showers to accompany the front as it crosses Montreal. We may even have a rumble of thunder, as that was quite common in Ontario last night. The main energy of the low pressure will swing through Quebec later today with some light snow developing tonight along with blowing snow and lasting into Sunday. Up to 5cm may fall over Quebec. Winds will be the big story with this storm. Warnings are in effect across the area from Quebec City all the way to Windsor, Ontario and south into northern New York.

Unbelievable damage from Harrisburg, Illinois on Friday (CNN.com)

Deadly Tornadoes

Strong low pressure is moving east from the Great Lakes this morning. What more can you say about this deepening area of low pressure, it has been deadly, catastrophic and unprecedented for early March. Nearly 100 tornadoes were spawned yesterday from Ohio to Alabama. Especially hard hit were Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky. Winds of up to 180mph accompanied some of the storms. One twister in Harrisburg, Illinois virtually levelled the town killing 6. The death toll is sitting at 31 this morning, and close to 50 from the week of storms. The number of tornadoes yesterday exceeds the normal monthly total in the US for March. The images of destruction are hard to understand and grasp and I get it, I understand weather, and yet the severity of these storms even surprises me.

Stormy Saturday

Cleaning up last weeks storm. CBC.ca

While we close the books on this latest winter storm, we will rapidly welcome the next one close on its heels. Montreal received about 15cm of snow at the airport yesterday with a little more perhaps closer to 18cm here off island to the south. Winds were quite gusty last evening with blowing snow and snow covered roads, but nothing we could not deal with in March.

Plowing the Trans Canada service road in Kirkland on Thursday. (ValleyWX Pic)

That storm slowly filled over the region last evening while a second low pressure area developed off the east coast and moved out to sea, brushing Atlantic Canada. Our next weather maker is a strong developing low over the southern plains that is forecast to move towards the Great Lakes and into central Quebec on Saturday. This storm will have warmer air than its predecessor so we are looking at snow this evening changing to rain before morning. Temperatures will be around 0C today but rise to plus 4C on Saturday. We are looking at about 2-5cm of snow here in Montreal followed by a few millimetres of rain. The big component with this storm will be a potent cold front that will generate thunderstorms from southern Ontario southward into the Gulf states. Some of the storms will be severe today from Kentucky and Ohio south with the risk of large hail, damaging winds and long track tornadoes. As the cold front approaches our region Saturday very strong southwest winds will develop up to 70km/h with some gusts approaching 90km/h in the St. Lawrence Valley. Wind warnings mat be needed for a portion of the area on Saturday. Sunday will be much calmer with cloudy skies and a few flurries, but a little cooler at -3C.

I will post an update on this winter storm later this morning.

Deadly tornadoes & a little snow

Our current weather system has been a little bit of a bust on the snow side so far. While is is snowing in Montreal and forecast to do so the balance of the day, I think the heaviest precipitation, what little of it there is, will remain south of metro Montreal. The storm center is currently over the Great Lakes and moving east. It will try to regain a little of its former self today but I think snow totals will be under the original forecast. Looking at the radar this morning we have some light snow over southern Quebec with another batch mixed with some freezing rain over Ontario and upstate New York. Winds have been creating a little blowing snow in places but nothing extreme. Environment Canada has lowered the winter storm warning to a snowfall warning (this is the equivalent of a winter weather advisory in the US). Storm totals will end up somewhere between 10 and 15cm by late today. Here in L'Ile Perrot we sit at -5C with about 4cm on the ground overnight.



EF-4 tornado damage in Harrisburg, Illinois (Reuters Photo)

The real deadly aspect of this storm was the severe weather that occurred yesterday along the trailing cold front. I was amazed by the strength of the pre-dawn twisters that swept through Missouri and into Kansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio. At one point a tornado watch was in effect clear up to northern Ohio along the Lake Erie shore. It is only February people and we witnessed quite likely an EF-4 tornado yesterday in Harrisburg, Illinois. The damage is extensive in Harrisburg with 6 deaths reported in that state and a total of 12 so far. Damage was widespread with homes and businesses destroyed. The storms are a little weaker today but still potent with the threat shifting into the southeast including Alabama and Georgia.

There was even thunder and lightning reported at multiple locations across Southwest Ontario last night including Sarnia, London and Windsor.

Winter Storm Warning

Deep low pressure this morning is moving from southern Minnesota eastward into the central Great Lakes and eventually south of Montreal on Thursday. This storm has been responsible for near blizzard conditions across the upper Midwest and northern plains along with severe weather and tornadoes overnight across the central and southern plains. One storm hit the entertainment town of Branson Missouri overnight with damage and injuries reported. One fatality has been reported so far by state police in Kansas.

Meanwhile well east of the low is a warm front approaching central New York state and southern Ontario. Precipitation is focused along the front in the form of snow and freezing rain. At this hour freezing rain is approaching southern Ontario with widespread warnings from the GTA west towards London and Sarnia.

Tornado damage overnight in Harveyville, Kansas near Topeka. (AP Photo)

As a result of the approaching warm front and low, a winter storm warning has been posted for Montreal and southwestern Quebec. Snow will develop later today and become moderate overnight with widespread blowing snow developing as northeast winds increase in the St. Lawrence Valley. The snow will continue Thursday before tapering off to flurries. At this time is looks like 15-20cm for Montreal and points south with 10-15cm in Ottawa and points north. Warnings are also in place for northern New York and Vermont. Thursday will be a very slow travel day across the region with steady snow and gusty winds from 30-50km/h. Temperatures are starting off chilly today in the -15C range this morning but will warm to -4C today where is will remain steady into Thursday. There is a slight risk of a little sleet or freezing rain mixing with the snow at times.

More snow on the way

From AccuWeather.com

Just when it seemed like winter was over, the season is taking a few parting shots at us. I'm sure most of us are well aware of how nasty late February and March can be. This morning we are seeing a few flurries come to an end across southern Quebec and New England as weak low pressure races off to the east and into Atlantic Canada. We had little more than a dusting here in Montreal overnight with up to 2cm off island. Skies are slowly clearing this morning and it is chilly at -8C but with wind chills in the minus teens. High pressure will be in control of our weather today and most of Wednesday. Meanwhile strong low pressure is organizing in the southwest US and will move towards the lower Great Lakes by late Wednesday. This storm will spread blizzard conditions across the northern plains and upper Midwest with severe weather expected across the deep south. A warm front will develop out ahead of the storm and start to produce some light snow in southern Quebec by late in the day tomorrow. On Thursday precipitation may become moderate across the region with a snow and freezing rain mix likely. At this time amounts and type are rather difficult to predict but we may be looking at more than 10cm of snow here in Montreal and up to 20cm in New York and Vermont. As a result a winter storm watch has been posted for all of northern New England and New York State, with a special weather statement from Environment Canada for Ontario. No warnings or statements at this time for southern Quebec, but is is early in the forecast period. I will update this upcoming storm as information becomes available today.

Active weather week ahead

For the first time in its 54 year history NASCAR had to postpone the Daytona 500 on Sunday due to heavy rain. More rain is forecast for central Florida today possibly delaying once again the scheduled 1pm start.

It looks like an active weather week to end February and start what is meteorological spring. While we are not expecting any big storms, we will have a chance for precipitation every second day into next weekend. We will start with this most recent storm that brought southern Quebec anywhere from 15-25cm of snow along with strong winds on Saturday and lots of blowing and drifting snow. In many ways it was the biggest storm of the winter thus far. In Vermont upslope snows dumped over 30 inches on Jay with 1-2 foot reports across the Green Mountains. In the lower elevations it was generally around 6 inches.

Today we have a clipper system moving across Ontario and into southern Quebec. A little light snow is forecast this afternoon into the overnight period with perhaps 5cm for Montreal. High pressure will build into the area for Tuesday before another storm from the northern plains arrives on Wednesday. A mix of snow and perhaps some freezing rain may occur with this next storm, with amounts generally in the 10cm range with precipitation lingering into Thursday. Friday will be fair with the third storm arriving for Saturday. This will likely be the strongest of the three, but also the warmest, so at this point we are looking at a rain event for southern Quebec. Temperatures are chilly this morning at -9C with a gusty wind making it feel colder. We will see highs of around -4C today.

Slow clearing

Strong low pressure is well northeast of Montreal over Maine this afternoon. That has not stopped the gusty wind and snow from occurring in the metro region. Most areas in southern Quebec have received around 20cm of snow since it started on Friday afternoon. The snow mixed with a little rain south of Montreal last night but it quickly turned back to snow this morning. Strong winds are producing blowing snow across the St. Lawrence Valley and south to the US border. Wind gusts of 50km/h or higher can be expected this afternoon. Snow is rather light in Montreal but much heavier south and east of the city across the Eastern Townships as well as the Adirondacks and Green Mountains where winter storm warnings remain in effect. The snow should taper off in Montreal by late afternoon with the winds abating by midnight. Temperatures started the day mild at 0C but have since fallen to -3C in Montreal with a windchill of -11C, and -6C in Ottawa, where snow is still falling as well. Look for another 5-10cm of snow in most areas of southern Quebec today with as much as 25cm in the Townships and eastern Quebec.

Above: The heavy wet snow stuck to everything last night.

Below: My Bella loves the weather almost as much as I do.

Heavy wet snow

Highway 20 approaching L'Ile Perrot during the evening commute Friday. (ValleyWX Pic)

The steady wet snow continues to fall in and around Montreal at 8pm this evening with about 10-15cm on the ground here on L'Ile Perrot. Winds have lightened up quite a bit in Montreal down from the 30-40km/h range during the evening commute. They are forecast to increase once again overnight as the storm system passes to our south and off to the east of Montreal with gusts over 50km/h possible. Winds on the backside of the system have increased significantly with gusts up to 80km/h being reported along Lake Erie and Ontario. This includes a gust to 72km/h at Hamilton and close to 70km/h in Toronto. The storm has had far reaching effect with heavy snow in New York and across New England, and severe weather up and down the east coast from New Jersey to Florida. There were reports of tornadoes in the Carolina's and Virginia today. There were even some thunderstorms along the cold front near Albany, NY and into southern Vermont. Meanwhile heavy snow has prompted winter storm warnings for all of southern and eastern Quebec into Atlantic Canada where up to 30cm is forecast on Saturday.

Storm update

12PM UPDATE: At noon, snow is advancing northeast across Ontario and into southwest Quebec. The snow will start out very light this afternoon but become much heavier as low pressure deepens and moves south of Montreal by evening. Heavy wet snow and strong winds will continue into Saturday morning with 15-25cm forecast for southern Quebec by the storms end. Up to 15cm is expected in eastern Ontario and none now in the GTA with perhaps just a few flurries. Visibility will lower and travel become difficult in southern Quebec by the evening rush hour. 

7am Friday UPDATE: Snowfall Warnings have been extended to the metro Montreal region this morning for 15-25cm of snow over the next 18 to 24 hours. We have a deepening low pressure area over Lake Erie this morning that is forecast to move down the St. Lawrence Valley. A second low is forecast to develop off the Maine coast and deepen rapidly. This will result in precipitation across New England and Quebec for the next 24 hours.  Radar returns over Ontario at this time are not overly impressive, but there is some rain and snow being observed. Winds are also beginning to increase in eastern Ontario out of the east and northeast. For southern Quebec the snow will not get in here much before noon with the heaviest expected during the evening hours. Winds will also increase to between 30 and 50km/h. The temperatures will be right around the freezing point.


Previous Discussion
I had chosen not to call our upcoming weather a storm this morning but it seems the 15cm threshold may be reached after all in southern Quebec and possibly exceeded. At this time we have low pressure over Illinois that is expected to work its way across western New York and just south of Montreal by late Friday. Snow is expected to overspread the area beginning in southern Ontario tonight and reaching Montreal by mid morning on Friday. It appears the heaviest snow will fall across the region between the city and the US border as well as the higher elevations of the Laurentians, Adirondacks and Eastern Townships. Presently snowfall warnings are in effect from the GTA north and east into the Ottawa Valley as well as the area north of Montreal and from my region here on L'Ile Perrot south to the US border and east towards Sherbrooke. Amounts will generally be in the 10-15cm (4-6 inches) range with upwards of 20 to 25cm (6-10 inches) in the Adirondacks and Green Mountains of Vermont. Winds with this system will be gutsy out of the northeast 30-50km/h primarily in the St. Lawrence Valley, before backing to the northwest late Friday night. Temperatures will cool to -4C tonight and remain around 0C for the duration of the storm. Roads will become snow covered on Friday with low visibility in heavy wet snow which may fall at the rate of 2cm an hour or more for a time tomorrow.

Snow on the way

I don't want to use the word snowstorm for this next event, but lets say we have some weather on the way. Montreal had a few light showers and flurries overnight, not much at all really, but just enough to put a thin glaze on the roads this morning. Skies should partially clear today with another mild high temperature of 3C expected. The temperature will fall tonight with northeast winds developing to a low of -5C.

On Friday low pressure will move from Kansas across northern Ohio and down the St. Lawrence Valley. A general swath of snow north of the low will affect most of southern and eastern Ontario and Quebec with around 10-15cm forecast. The snow will begin after midnight in the Toronto area and reach Montreal by the early morning hours. While it will not be a storm as such, it will be tricky on the roads for sure, as the snow will be blown around by northeast winds of 30 to 50km/h. The only warnings in place so far are for the Eastern Townships where 15cm or more is likely. We may see additional warnings posted later today, particularly for the mountains of upstate New York and Vermont.

Once the low passes east of Montreal we can expect a slightly cooler weekend with some residual snow on Saturday and clearing skies on Sunday. Temperatures will remain above normal through the period.

Unsettled weather

We have a rather wet morning in Montreal and across southern Quebec today with mix of very light rain and snow that has been falling since about midnight. The temperature is currently a mild plus 3C (38F) here on L'Ile Perrot with a light south wind. A frontal system moving across the area will continue the light precipitation until about the noon hour followed by some partial clearing. The clearing will be very short as the next weak system is poised to move across the region tonight. The leading edge of light snow will move into Montreal late this evening with about 2-4cm forecast. This will taper off early tomorrow morning and likely melt quickly as temperatures rise above freezing once again to plus 2C. Friday we have a stronger system that is still giving the computer models fits and starts. Both the reliable European and American models take the system across the region Friday but at different strengths and with different temperature profiles. The European model even develops a second storm off the east coast near Cape Cod for Saturday. The best we can tell this far out is that we will have rain and snow both Friday and Saturday with perhaps a gusty wind. We will have to pay close attention to this, and I am, so check back later today or follow my twitter account for updates. There is the potential for a significant event and being that it has been such a quiet winter, any snow may cause travel delays.

Stormy weather by Friday

There is finally some activity locally on the weather map this morning. First we are dealing with another chilly morning at -11C here on L'Ile Perrot southwest of downtown Montreal. High pressure will keep skies clear today with just some increasing high clouds. A frontal system with limited moisture will approach from the Great Lakes tonight and produce a few flurries and showers into Wednesday. It will be mild with temperatures above freezing today and for most of the week. A stronger storm will move from the Ohio Valley late Thursday and down the St. Lawrence Valley by Friday. This system will be the strongest this month with the chance for up to 25mm or 1 inch of precipitation. The problem is what form of precipitation can we expect? At this time is looks like rain from metro Montreal south and a mix of rain, freezing rain or snow north with precipitation tapering off to all snow by late Friday as a strong cold front sweeps the region. Forecaster confidence is very low at this point as the two most reliable computer models argue with each other over the eventual details of the storm. In any event there will be some stormy weather Friday after what has been a very inactive month.

Is winter over?

I keep getting the same question from friends and family, is winter over? Any other year I would say no, because as we well know, March is a nasty month in Montreal with historically the biggest and wildest storms (1971, 1993 and others). This year however, I am inclined to say yes. There is just no serious winter weather anywhere in Canada, with perhaps the exception of a small area of Atlantic Canada in the last week or so. Montreal remains stuck at about 7cm of snow for the month, not even 3 inches!. Yes I know a southern storm over the weekend dumped up to 10 inches of wet snow in Tennessee and Kentucky as well as western parts of the Carolina's and Virginia, but these are fluke events. It will warm into the 60's (above 16C) early this week in those same regions, that is not winter. The same holds true for our region, I feel any snowstorm that may occur over the next month will be a fluke, a system coming up the east coast catching us on the backside or perhaps a wet snow event as temperatures cool overnight. There is no cold air forecast this week with sunny skies today and Tuesday and highs at or above freezing. A frontal system will bring rain by late in the week before a strong cold front moves across the region late Friday. That cold air may produce a little snow, but more mild air is forecast by early next week.

Heavy snow and fog along I-75 in Tennessee on Sunday produced numerous accidents including this multiple vehicle incident that injured 60 motorists, 5 seriously.

The storm in the deep south yesterday is moving out to sea this morning well south of New England and Quebec. It produced a swath of snow that created dangerous driving and many accidents. The storm also cut power to thousands. Winds along the coast created coastal flooding in in portions of the middle Atlantic and North Carolina.

Gary "The Kid" Carter

Gary Carter in his practice jersey with the Montreal Expos back in the early 80's. I took out my identical jersey yesterday just to have a long look at it.

I am going to take a little break from the weather this morning.

We lost Hall of Fame catcher and former Montreal Expo Gary "The Kid" Carter to brain cancer yesterday at the young age of 57. No matter how you look at his 20 year career in the majors he was class all the way. He started his career here in Montreal and delivered so many memories to me as a child and later on in my teen years. My friend Steve D (yes another Steve) and myself were big baseball fans growing up. We had the privilege of watching some pretty amazing players pass through the Montreal organization, none with more energy and enthusiasm than Carter. He was the face of this franchise for the 12 seasons he played here. One big thrill was seeing him in the 1982 MLB All Star game right here at the Big O in Montreal, which luckily I attended. I still have my ticket stub!

Sadly in 1984 the Expos traded away Carter to the New York Mets. My friend Steve and I went in different directions. We were both angry at the Expos for trading him, Steve became an instant Mets fan while I became a huge Boston Red Sox fan. We both still are fans of our respective teams to this day. Well you can see where this is going, to the now famous 1986 World Series between the Mets and Sox. Carter kept the game going in the 9th inning with a clutch hit which later led to the Bill Buckner error and eventually a Game 6 win and World Series title. It would be Carters only championship in his long career. Looking back this morning, I am so glad the Mets won, if just for Carter. The Red Sox had bigger things ahead for them in 2004. It was Carter's well deserved World Series and looking back and reflecting, it was exactly how it was suppose to be.

Rest in peace Gary Carter, my thoughts and prayers to his wife and family.

Rain & snow mix

There is not a whole lot going on in the weather department this morning, it is mild at 0C here on L'Ile Perrot with some fog around. We had a little light rain and snow yesterday, about 2mm worth, hardly worth noting. It is becoming increasingly difficult to find much weather to write about here in Quebec and Ontario, a sentiment noted by other weather bloggers in the region. This winter is setting new records on being mundane, with only 7cm of snow this month and very little in the way of storms all winter long. So today we find ourselves waiting for another weakening area low pressure that will move from Illinois towards southern Quebec. In a normal year this would mean a storm, this year it means, well light rain and snow. The rain will arrive late today and taper to a few flurries on Friday. The only notable thing is that the winds may gust to 50km/h on Friday. Amounts will be light with perhaps 2-5mm of rain followed by a centimetre or two of snow. There may be a few slick spots on area highways both this morning and again overnight tonight. Temperatures will remain mild, above freezing for the next 24 to 36 hours between 2 and 4C. The weekend will feature clearing skies and near normal temperatures. With very little snow pack for outdoor activities and melting outdoor skating rinks, plan a shopping event this weekend or I guess a walk.

A little snow

A weak front moving northeast across the valley this morning is producing a little light and very wet snow. Montreal has seen a dusting to 1cm overnight and it should continue for the next several hours with perhaps another centimetre or so. It is just enough snow to make for a sloppy commute in the city. Otherwise look for cloudy skies and very mild temperatures up to about 3C today and Thursday. On Thursday a slightly stronger low pressure area will lift northeast from the lower Great Lakes and pass west of Montreal. This system has limited moisture but should be able to provide a rain and snow mix for most of the area. Precipitation amounts will be less than 10mm which should amount to less than 5cm of snow. The precipitation will begin in Ontario by midday and spread into the Ottawa Valley by evening. It will reach Montreal late in the day and taper off to a few flurries by Friday morning. While no major travel disruptions are expected, it will be enough snow and rain to make roads slick. Winds will increase as well out of the southwest. Skies will then clear for the weekend, and it will remain rather mild for February.

Warming trend

Happy Valentine's Day

We are seeing a wide range in temperatures this morning across the region. Montreal had clear skies and calm winds overnight, that combined with our snow pack (which many areas don't have) allowed temperatures to cool rapidly after sunset. I am showing minus 17C (2F) here on L'Ile Perrot with -14C (7F) at the airport, well below the predicted low of -5C. Meanwhile just to our south Plattsburgh, NY is at -3C (27F), while to our west Ottawa is -7C (20F). Everybody should warm to at or just above freezing today under mostly cloudy skies. The cloud is being caused by very weak low pressure over the Ohio Valley. We may see some snowflakes this afternoon, but nothing to get too excited about. There is another chance for some rain or snow by late Thursday, but again not a big storm.

Just how little snow has Montreal had this February? We are stuck at 7cm for the month, 5.2 of that falling on the first. Normally Montreal has about 45cm of snow in February with this month and March being our snowiest with the biggest storms. I am just not seeing anything at this time that would indicate a major change in the season long patterns. We may have a little snow by the middle of next week, but for the short term mild air is in place and if we get any precipitation with Thursday's system it will likely be in the form of rain showers.