Record-breaking warmth ahead for southern Quebec

High pressure is forecast to dominate the weather in Montreal into the upcoming weekend, with warm and dry weather expected. Temperatures will rise through the 20's into the low 30s for some locations by Friday. Expect records to fall in Montreal on Thursday and Friday. The dry, warm weather has also increased the risk of brush and forest fires in the province. Open air burning, including campfires, is not permitted across southern Quebec at this time.

Open air burning prohibited across southern Quebec

Only 5mm of rain has fallen in Montreal so far this month, a far cry from the wet April we experienced. The lack of moisture, combined with low relative humidity levels and gusty winds at times has resulted in an open fire ban across all of southern Quebec. The ban has been put in place by SOPFEU, the agency that oversees fire fighting and prevention in Quebec forests. Most local municipalities are requiring permits for any outdoor burning, this includes campfires and backyard fire pits. The risk is just too great, as we have dry conditions and plenty of fuel from dead leaves and grass from the winter. The ban also extends into portions of Ontario and New York. Already this past Sunday, a brush fire occurred at the Club de Golf de L'Ile in RDP, resulting in three alarms, requiring 85 firefighters to bring under control. There are currently 12 active fires in Québec. Since the start of the protection season, 138 forest fires have impacted 114.2 hectares. The average over the last 10 years at this time of the year is 102 fires over an area of 82.4 hectares.

Map courtesy SOPFEU Quebec, showing the locations in southern Quebec where open fires are prohibited at this time.

SOPFEU is asking all residents to assist in making sure that the ban on open fires in the forest is respected. This measure is intended to limit the risk of forest fires. Any person who contravenes the order prohibiting open fires in or near forests is liable to a fine as well as the costs incurred to fight the fire according to the Ministry.

Temperatures are on the rise as strong high pressure centred over southern Quebec dominates the weather. It will remain nearly stationary through Saturday, pushing any storms well south of the region. The high on Monday was 24C (76F), and we will gain a degree or two each day into the weekend. By Thursday, highs will be in the upper 20s, with even a few low 30s around. The record high in Montreal for Thursday is 27.4C (81.3F) set in 1992, Friday, 28.5C (83F) also from 1992 and Saturday 29.2C (84.5F) set in 2004. We have a decent shot at the records for both Thursday and Friday. The normal high/low for early May in Montreal, is 19C (66F) and 7C (45F).

Late Saturday moisture will begin to increase across the region as a cold front approaches from western Canada. There will be a risk of showers and thunderstorms as we head into Sunday, along with more seasonable temperatures.

Wet and cold April in Montreal ends on sunny note

More images of April snow, as an upper level low produced rain and snow on Wednesday. By Thursday morning, some locations in the Eastern Townships and Beauce region had measured several centimetres of wet snow. The photo above is from Oxford County, Maine, just southeast of the Sherbrooke area, taken Thursday morning. (Maine DOT)

I had to wonder where spring was as I walked my puppy early Friday morning, wearing my winter coat, hat a gloves on April 29. The temperature was just shy of the freezing point in the pre-dawn hours across many off-island locations. The cool weather will persist today, a trend we have observed during the entire month of April with just a few exceptions.

The average temperature in Montreal for April sits at 10.6C (51F) a full degree below normal. It has been a wet and at times white month, with 20.2cm of snow and 114.4mm of rainfall, both well-above the normals of 12.9cm and 67.7mm respectively. As recently as Wednesday, wet snow fell across portions of southern Quebec, including the Montreal region. Several centimetres accumulated across southeastern Quebec along the New England border.

The good news is that we are in for a beautiful stretch of sunny weather to end April and start May. High pressure will crest over southern Quebec, with diminishing winds and seasonable highs. This weekend will feature wall to wall sunshine, with moderating temperatures. Friday will be cool and breezy, reaching only 12C (54F), but highs should reach 14C (56F) Saturday, 17C (63F) Sunday and close to 20C (68F) on Monday. No rain is forecast through the early portion of next week.

Beyond that, May looks to be relatively normal in the temperature department, which means a slow but gradual warming trend for daytime highs through the teens and into the low 20's by the end of the month. Overnight lows warm from a degree or two above freezing to 10C (50F) by June 1st.

Record-breaking snowfall briefly interrupts spring in Montreal

Heavy wet snow accumulated rapidly in Montreal early Wednesday morning, with over 10cm falling in just a few hours. The snow melted away just as quickly as temperatures warmed above freezing in the afternoon. (ValleyWeather Photo)

Spring was put on hold in Montreal for a few hours on Wednesday. The snow came quickly and melted away just as fast. A record-breaking 10cm accumulated in Montreal in just a few hours. It was enough to shatter the daily record of 7.6cm set in 1949. A strong coastal storm moved inland over New England producing heavy precipitation in Montreal. In all 33.8mm of precipitation occurred at Trudeau Airport, with half of that falling as snow, much of it melting on contact. The exception was during a three hour period early Wednesday morning when the 10cm accumulated. This was poorly timed during the morning commute across southern Quebec. During that window, the snow fell heavily, and accumulated quickly reducing visibility to less than a half kilometre and coating area highways.

Dozens of accidents were reported in metro Montreal and off island to the south and west. In addition to the heavy wet snow, winds gusted to 60km/h in Montreal. The wind and weight of the snow knocked power out to nearly 50,000 Hydro-Quebec customers across the southern portion of the province.

By midday, temperatures warmed enough that the snow mixed with rain and began to melt away. By early Thursday morning, only a few patches remained.

The weather will remain cool for April, with daytime highs in the upper single digits and lows near the freezing point into the upcoming weekend. A cold rain is forecast for Thursday, before decent weather on Friday and Saturday. More rain is forecast for Sunday in what has become a very wet April. Already 118.8mm has fallen at Trudeau Airport, well above the long-term average of 82.2mm.

April Nor'Easter to bring rain and snow to southern Quebec

A late season coastal storm will pull enough cold air into the region Monday night to produce wet snow. The heaviest snow will fall north and east of Montreal, but a few slushy centimetres are possible in the St. Lawrence Valley after midnight. (AccuWeather.com)

Rain will mix with snow overnight into Tuesday across the Montreal region, with the possibility of several centimetres accumulation for the city, more to the north and east. I expect most of the snow to remain on colder surfaces, but there may be some slick spots on area roads.

After a rather breezy and chilly Easter weekend, Monday has dawned delightful, with light winds and sunny skies. The temperatures will moderate after early morning lows near the freezing point to a daytime high of 10C (50F) in Montreal.

April can be a tricky weather month across North America as the seasons battle for supremacy. Last week, temperatures soared into the 30s (80-90F) across the eastern US, while in the west, an historic blizzard shut down parts of North Dakota, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. A record-breaking 36 inches (91.4cm) of wind blown snow fell over three days at Minot, North Dakota, shutting down all travel including Interstate 94 and US 2 shown above. (North Dakota Department of Transportation) 

The good weather will not last very long, as two areas of low pressure begin to impact the region. The first will move into southern Ontario later today before weakening. A second low pressure along the US east coast will become the primary storm, moving into southern New England on Tuesday while strengthening. Clouds will increase late in the day today, with precipitation in the form of rain beginning this evening in Montreal. The rain will mix with and change to wet snow overnight. The snow may be heavy at times across some parts of southern Quebec, with a general 5-10cm possible in many locations. In the immediate St. Lawrence Valley, warm surfaces should help to keep accumulations below 5cm. The snow should mix with rain by Tuesday morning before ending in the afternoon.

Winds will be rather brisk on Tuesday, gusting between 30-60km/h. Tuesday will be raw for mid-April, with a high expected of only 3C (38F) for Montreal. Regions northeast of Montreal towards Quebec City and the lower St. Lawrence can expect more snow, with 10-20cm possible.

Heavy wet snow is also forecast across the Adirondacks of northern New York, where as much as 25cm may fall by Wednesday morning. A winter storm warning has been issued for those regions.

Skies will clear out Wednesday in Montreal along with milder daytime temperatures of 9C (48F).

Historic spring blizzard to bring rain and thunderstorms to Montreal

Travel conditions are nearly impossible across North Dakota, with over 800km of Interstate 94 closed across that state. Similar weather can be expected in southern Manitoba on Wednesday. (NDDOT)

A powerful spring blizzard is hammering portions of North Dakota, Montana and neighbouring southeast Saskatchewan and southwest Manitoba early Wednesday morning. The storm promises to be epic, with 25 to 60cm of snow forecast along with 70 to 100km/h winds. Authorities have already closed more than 500 miles of Interstate 94 across North Dakota and Montana.

A strong late-season winter storm will impact portions of southern Manitoba and southeast Saskatchewan with blizzard conditions expected for over 24 hours. Weather conditions are deteriorating early Wednesday morning in Manitoba, with heavy snow and increasing north winds. (AccuWeather)

Forecasters north of the border are expected the same, as the snow and wind ramp up today in Manitoba. Visibility early this morning is already under 1km at Winnipeg and Brandon. Late season storms are not uncommon in this region, however the strength of this particular blizzard is rather impressive. Low pressure will slowly move across the northern plains and into Minnesota and northwest Ontario over the next 48 hours. In addition to the strong winds and heavy snow, bitter cold will push across the southern Prairies. Temperatures early Wednesday morning are already well below freezing and expected to drop into the minus teens by Thursday morning. Strong winds and heavy snow will make travel impossible in western Manitoba. Expect highway closures and possible power outages.

Heavy Rain and Thunderstorms

On the warm side of the storm, an elongated warm front is producing periods of heavy rain and thunderstorms north and east of the center. A strong cold front trailing from the storm is generating severe wether and tornadoes across the central and southern US plains.

As the storm lifts into Ontario, Montreal can expect periods of steady rain to develop along the aforementioned warm front. A soaking 20 to 30mm is possible, which will add to water levels on both the Ottawa and St. Lawrence Rivers. A heavy rainfall warning has been posted for portions of southern Quebec including metro Montreal. No flooding is anticipated at this time, but water levels are being closely monitored. On Thursday, the trailing cold front arrives, accompanied by gusty winds and scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms. Skies will clear out Thursday evening.

Good Friday at this time is shaping up to be the best weather day of the Easter/Passover long weekend for Montreal. Conditions will be sunny and mild, with a high near 15C (59F) in Montreal, warmer south of the city towards the US border. Conditions will be rather breezy, with wind gusts to 50km/h likely. The weekend at this time is going to be dreary and chilly as an upper level low moves east from the Great Lakes. Look for scattered showers both days and perhaps even a few flurries around for Easter Sunday.

Heavy rainfall expected for southern Quebec

Most of snow is now gone in the Montreal region, but such is not the case in other parts of the province. Heavy rain on Thursday and Friday may lead to flooding in several regions, especially north and east of the city. A heavy rainfall warning has been posted by Environment Canada, with 20 to as much as 40mm expected.

Heavy Rainfall Warning posted for southern Quebec including metro Montreal.

Spring is well underway across southern Quebec, with mild temperature and rainfall expected. A slow moving, moisture-laden frontal boundary is forecast to move into the region on Thursday followed by low pressure moving northeast along the Atlantic coast. The combination of both systems will bring a prolonged period of wet weather to Montreal. After a sunny, mild Wednesday, clouds will increase, with rain developing Thursday morning. The rain may be heavy at times, with 20-30mm expected, and as much as 50mm along the US border. 

Showery weather will persist most of the day on Friday as well. Temperatures will be cooler than they have been, with daytime highs around 8C (48F) and lows near 3C (38F). The weekend will remain unsettled as an upper level low moves across the Great Lakes. Temperatures will be on the cool side, with more clouds than sun and a few isolated showers around.

The rain, combined with melting snow, will lead to areas of flooding, especially north and east of Montreal. I am not expecting any issues within the city, as most of the snow has melted. There may be some low lying areas that see ponding of water. There is however still plenty of ice on area rivers. For that reason Hydro Météo has watches in place for ice movement on rivers across far western Quebec, and in the Chaudière region.

April historically has produced some big snowstorms in Montreal. On April 9th, 2000, 34cm fell, with 32cm on April 1st, 1993, and just last year 5cm fell on April 21st. In 1975, a monster two-day storm produced 20 to 40cm of snow across large portions of the province, along with 90km/h winds. The winds created massive drifts and produced widespread damage especially in portions of the lower St. Lawrence. This will not be the case this year, there is no snow in our future.

The April 3-4, 1975 snowstorm hammered the province, with 30 to 40cm of snow, whipped by 90km/h winds. Montreal reported 26 hours with less than 1km visibility, while Québec City registered 11 consecutive hours of zero visibility. The barometric pressure dropped to 97.93 inches, equivalent to that of a Category 1 hurricane. Wind damage was widespread and roads were closed. (Photo Québecurbain)

At this time it looks like spring flooding will not be an issue in Montreal this year. Snowfall in the Montreal region was well-below normal in March and for the entire winter season. Only 23cm fell last month for a winter total of 180.2cm (70.9 inches) at Trudeau Airport. The long-term average is 209.5cm (82.5 inches). This is not the case in many other regions of Quebec, especially northeast of Montreal where the snowpack remains deep, and the risk for spring flooding is much higher. For example parts of the Gaspé and Saquenay regions had over 100cm of snow in March alone. There is still 127cm of snow on the ground in Sept-Îles compared to the normal of 40cm.

Winter to make a return to Montreal this weekend

After a prolonged cold snap in January and a roller coaster February, roads are in brutal condition across the Montreal region. Massive potholes and sinkholes have damaged numerous cars and caused several accidents. Crews have been filling them, but new ones appear just as quickly. You can blame it on the fierce freeze and thaw cycle over the last few weeks, along with deep frost this year and steady precipitation over the last 10 days. Since March 1st, over 80mm of rain and snow have fallen at Trudeau Airport.

Perhaps the last shot of arctic air for the winter season is forecast to invade southern Quebec this Sunday. This will be quite a shock to the system after the springlike conditions over the last week. Before then we have a wet, chilly period of weather expected over the next 72 hours. Low pressure over the Great Lakes pushed a frontal boundary into the region overnight, accompanied by rain, ice pellets and pockets of freezing rain. I measured close to 25mm (1 inch) of precipitation on Île Perrot since just before midnight through 9am, with temperatures hovering just above the freezing point.

Thursday will be a breezy day, with scattered showers and a high near 7C (45F) for Montreal. A secondary area of low pressure will move along the east coast late Thursday pushing another wave of moisture into southern Quebec. Look for a mix of rain and snow across the St. Lawrence Valley into Friday morning, with an overnight low near 3C (38F). Both Friday and Saturday will be cloudy and cool, with scattered showers.

Arctic Blast

On Sunday, a strong arctic cold front will sweep across the region, accompanied by some snow, with 1 to 4cm possible across southern Quebec. Temperatures will drop dramatically into the minus teens both Sunday and Monday night. Strong northwest winds late Sunday and Monday, will result in windchill values as low as -20C. The overnight lows will be in the -10C (14F) to -15C (5F) range. Monday will feel brutally cold for late March, with strong winds and a high of only -6C (21F). Temperatures will moderate by mid-week.

Wet weekend for Montreal after record warmth

A sure sign of spring across southern Quebec, as the geese are starting to return. Montreal reached a record high of 15.8C on Thursday afternoon. More mild weather and rain are forecast for the upcoming weekend. Spring arrives at 11:33AM on Sunday morning.

Thursday was a spectacular day, feeling more like mid spring than late winter. A southwest breeze and bright sunshine allowed the temperature to reach a record-breaking high of 15.8C (61F) in Montreal, surpassing the previous benchmark for the date of 14.4C (57F) set in 2010. A weak cold front settled south across the region overnight, so Friday will not be as warm, but sunny and mild nevertheless, reaching 11C (52F).

Developing low pressure over the US Midwest will arrive over the weekend, with rain expected Saturday, and a showery first day of spring for Sunday. Clouds will increase late Friday, followed by rain overnight into Saturday. The rain will become more scattered in nature Saturday afternoon into Sunday. In total, Montreal can expect 15 to 20mm of precipitation. Gusty winds are likely on Saturday as well, out of the northeast at 20 to 40km/h. We will have a damp and chilly high of 7C (45F), but this is still above the long-term average of  3C (38F). 

There is a risk of freezing rain and wet snow ell northeast of Montreal towards Quebec City, so keep this in mind if your travel take you in that direction on Saturday. Despite the mild air, there is always a chance of more wintry precipitation as we end March and start April. At this time however, our forecast looks mild, with no major storms on the horizon.

Increased snowmelt and the expected precipitation this weekend, will have water flow and ice conditions on area rivers and lakes highly variable. The best advice is stay off the ice and out of the water in the Montreal region.

Less snow expected for Montreal as storm slides east

A late winter storm will bring 10 to 30cm of snow to much of southern Quebec on Saturday.

Friday will be the calm before a late season snowstorm impacts the region. Latest model data suggests the center of the low will move from Louisiana towards southeastern New England on Saturday. This track takes the storm a little more eastward than 24 hours ago. The result will be less snow for Montreal and eastern Ontario.

Snow will begin by 7pm Friday evening in Montreal and taper off Saturday afternoon. At this time, a general 10 to 15cm is expected for the city, more as you head southeast towards the Eastern Townships, where a winter storm warning is in effect. Warnings are also in effect for most of northern New England and New York. Snowfall amounts will range from 7 to 15cm across eastern Ontario, and 20 to 30cm for northern New England, New York and the Townships.

The storm will deepen rapidly on Saturday, resulting in strong northwest winds developing, in excess of 50km/h during the afternoon hours in the St. Lawrence Valley. This will produce areas of blowing and drifting snow as well as isolated power outages. Winds will only diminish Sunday morning. Temperatures will be close to the freezing point in Montreal for the next 24 hours, before dropping to -5C (23F) by late Saturday afternoon. The snow will be wet and heavy at the onset of precipitation, but become dry and fluffy by late Saturday, allowing it to blow around more.

Expect poor travel on Saturday, especially south and east of metro Montreal.

This storm has far reaching effects, with weather warnings in place from the Gulf of Mexico to Atlantic Canada.

Snowstorm likely for southern Quebec on Saturday

The biggest snowstorm of the season may impact Montreal on Saturday with heavy snow and strong winds. (ValleyWeather Photo)

Winter storm expected to impact Montreal late Friday into Saturday.

A hint of spring is in the air as I write this blog, with warm March sunshine pushing the temperature to 4C (39F) in Montreal. But March can be a cruel weather month, and winter is not over just yet. Confidence is growing that a strong winter storm will impact southern Quebec this coming weekend. If the forecast holds true, it could be the biggest storm of the winter for the city.

Low pressure is forecast to develop over southern Texas on Friday, tapping into warm, moist Gulf of Mexico air while moving northeast. At the same time, cold, arctic air is forecast to push south across the Great Lakes. The combination of those key ingredients will allow the storm to intensify rapidly as it moves northward along the eastern seaboard and into Atlantic Canada by Sunday.

Strong low pressure is forecast develop Saturday along the east coast and move towards Atlantic Canada. Heavy snow is expected to fall across southern Quebec along with strong winds. (AccuWeather.com)

Montreal will remain on the cold side of the storm, with snow developing late Friday and persisting into Saturday. The snow will be heavy at times, with amounts well in excess of 15cm possible for Montreal. Some models have 20 to 30cm falling across southern Quebec. Accompanying the snow will be strong winds, with gusts over 70km/h possible. This will create widespread blowing and drifting snow.

There are still many details to iron out such as the timing and exact track of the storm, but at this time, plan for very poor travel for at least 36 hours across the region. Skies will clear Sunday, but it will be windy and cold. Milder, calm weather returns to start next week.

Spring mix of freezing rain, snow and thunderstorms

A light glaze of freezing rain is expected early Sunday morning in Montreal before temperatures soar to record-breaking highs in the low teens. A cold front will deliver strong winds and isolated thunderstorms this afternoon. On Monday, another area of low pressure will pass south of the city, with a period of wet snow likely. 

Freezing Rain Warning in effect for metro Montreal for early Sunday. 

A strong spring weather system is moving across the Great Lakes early Sunday morning, forecast to pass well north of Montreal today. An elongated warm front will lift across the region this morning, allowing record-braking warm air to surge north into southern Quebec and Ontario. Along the warm front, a brief period of freezing rain is possible early Sunday morning, with just a light glaze expected for Montreal.

Once the front clears the region, temperatures will soar, with a forecast high of 12C (54F) for both Montreal and Ottawa, and 19C (66F) for Toronto. A high of 12C would be a new record for Montreal for the date, surpassing the previous benchmark of 10C (50F) set in 1974.

A trailing cold front will arrive in southern Quebec by late afternoon or early evening, accompanied by scattered showers and a risk of the first thunderstorm of  2022. Storms were scattered along the front Saturday afternoon, including a powerful cell that produced and EF-3 tornado near Des Moines, Iowa. The storm caused widespread damage, injuries and at least 6 fatalities. The National Weather Service estimates winds exceeded 215km/h with the storm.

While we are not expecting severe storms in our region, strong winds will mix down to the surface along and ahead of the cold front Sunday afternoon. Wind warnings are in effect for portions of Ontario and New York state, and they may be extended into southern Quebec. Gusts of 50 to 70km/h are expected in Montreal, and up to 100km/h along the shoreline of Lake Ontario into portions of the southern St. Lawrence Valley.

The cold front will clear the region this evening, with temperatures settling back down to 0C (32F). On Monday, low pressure will pass just south of Montreal along the front, with a swath of wet snow expected north of the center. Portions of southern Quebec and eastern Ontario can expect up to 5cm of wet snow by late Monday.

High pressure will move into the region Tuesday, with clearing skies and slightly cooler temperatures. The high will be near -1C (30F).

Active weather pattern for Montreal to begin March

Public works crews and private contractors have been rather busy over the last two weeks cleaning up snow from multiple storms in Montreal. This photo was taken in front of my childhood home on LaSalle Boulevard in Verdun. (Photo - Peter Storey)

February is in the history books, and spring is just around the corner. The month ended with 104mm of total precipitation, well above the normal of 63mm. In that amount was 54cm of snow, also above normal. That was a Trudeau Airport, many neighbouring regions reported even more snowfall, and as a result, the banks are sitting pretty high for early March.

Despite it being meteorological spring as of March 1st, winter weather remains in our future. This week, the Montreal region has already received between 10 and 15cm of new snow, and another storm is on the horizon.

We will end the week under a ridge of high pressure, with sunny skies but cold temperatures for early March. The high Thursday has already been reached and temperatures will remain steady around -10C (14F) or slowly fall. The normal high should be 0C (32F) and low -9C (16F). The forecast low tonight in Montreal is -17C (2F). Temperatures will slowly moderate on Saturday as clouds increase along a warm front. By Saturday evening, we can expect a light mix of snow and freezing rain, along with warming temperatures. Sunday will feature light rain and a very mild high of 10C (50F) for southern Quebec.

As the low pressure in question lifts north of the city Sunday afternoon, it will drag a cold front across the St. Lawrence Valley. Temperatures will fall back to the freezing point for Monday. At the same time another low pressure area will move from the central US towards New England and pass south of Montreal. This system will bring snow to the region, but the timing and amounts have yet to be determined.

Briefly looking ahead through the middle of March, we can expect below normal temperatures and above normal precipitation.

Snow squalls expected across southern Quebec Sunday

Friday's storm produced heavy snow and blowing snow in Montreal, with numerous accidents reported around the region. Visibility was greatly impacted through the middle portion of the day as seen in the photo above taken on LaSalle Blvd in Verdun. Photo: Peter Storey

A Snow Squall Watch is in effect for a large portion of eastern Ontario and southern Quebec for Sunday including metro Montreal.

Another in a series of low pressure systems will impact the region today. The low is a rather weak Alberta Clipper, with limited moisture, but a strong cold front producing a wide range in temperatures. Light snow will develop early Sunday morning a the low moves across southern Quebec. Gusty southwest winds are expected as well, up to 50km/h at times, producing some blowing snow.

By the noon hour, squalls should begin to develop across Ontario moving southeast into Quebec. Brief periods of heavy snow with near-zero visibility are expected. Winds will shift to the northwest and gust up to 60km/h. This is a similar situation to last Saturday, where squalls produced numerous travel issues with several major accidents. Travel with care today, and expect highly changeable weather.

Temperatures will be mild today, reaching -1C (30F) before the frontal passage. They will tumble late this afternoon and this evening, down to -19C (-2F) by Monday morning, with windchill values in the mid minus 20s.

In terms of accumulations, expect a general 3-5cm for most locations, with more in the most persistent squalls.

Heavy snow falling on Île Perrot Friday afternoon. Between 15 and 20cm fell at most locations in southern Quebec (ValleyWeather Photo)

Friday's storm delivered 10 to 20cm of snow on the region, the most at Mirabel with 23cm, the least, as per usual, at Trudeau Airport where apparently only 11.2cm fell. I measured 15cm here on Île Perrot, with 15cm also in Laval, and on the South Shore. The snow fell quickly, reducing visibility at times to zero. Several major multi-vehicle accidents were reported, with one involving 20 vehicles on Highway 20 between Les Cèdres and Coteau-du-Lac. Another closed Highway 40 at Riguad. 

Similar conditions occurred in northern Vermont and New York. A 30 vehicle crash resulted in one fatality and several serious injuries on Interstate 89 near Milton, Vermont. The highway was closed for nearly 10 hours.

Another wave of snow and cold forecast for Montreal

The snow on Friday is expected to hide the layers of ice coating most parking lots and driveways after 15mm of freezing rain and sleet fell on the Montreal region Wednesday night. 

Another winter storm, the third in less than a week is set to impact southern Quebec and Ontario on Friday with 5 to 15cm of fresh snow expected. Winter weather advisories are in effect for all of southern and eastern Ontario, with winter storm warnings in place across New England and New York. No warnings have been issued for Montreal at this time.

There is still a layer of ice on the ground in many places after Wednesday nights storm went through, which will makes things challenging with the new snow arriving. Wednesday's storm produced nearly 15mm of freezing rain and sleet, with very little warm air making it into Montreal. The temperature only nudged above the freezing point for a few hours early Thursday morning, before a strong cold front pushed across the region, with a peak wind gust of 88km/h at Trudeau Airport, and rapidly falling temperatures back below freezing. This resulted in standing water refreezing quickly.

This is setting the stage for a much colder weather system on Friday. Low pressure will deepen as it passes well south of Montreal, close to the New York City metropolitan region and into the Atlantic. Southern Quebec will be on the northern edge of the storm, with 5 to 10cm expected in the city and 10 to 15cm south towards the US border. The snow will begin early Friday morning and taper off late in the day. We are also expecting strong northeast winds of 30-50km/h to accompany the snow along with cold temperatures. The high is forecast at -11C (12F) for Montreal. The snow will be very fine and blow around quite easily. Expect poor travel conditions all day Friday.

Last Saturday's snow squall activity made driving dangerous across southern Quebec. More snow squall activity is expected this Sunday afternoon as an arctic cold front plows through the region. (ValleyWeather Photo)

Another round of snow squalls expected

Skies will clear out early Saturday morning, but any sunshine will be short-lived as another system arrives late in the day. Low pressure will pass near Montreal on Sunday with somewhat limited moisture, but drag a potent arctic front through the region during the afternoon hours. At this time it looks like a repeat of last Saturday, with dangerous snow squalls developing. They will be brief and isolated, but produce periods of strong winds, very heavy snow and poor visibility. Expect a general 2 to 5cm of addiotnal snowfall. Keep this in mind if you have any travel plans to end the weekend. Last weeks squalls produced quite a few serious accidents across southern Quebec and into Ontario and northern New England as well.

Freezing Rain Warning posted for Montreal

Freezing rain warnings are in effect for a large portion of eastern Ontario and southern Quebec today and tonight. Freezing rain should start in Montreal by late this afternoon.

Another messy winter storm is set to impact southern Quebec over the next 24 to 36 hours. Low pressure over the American Midwest will move into the Great Lakes and down the St. Lawrence Valley on Wednesday. In advance of the storm, colder air has settled back into Montreal. Temperatures early Tuesday morning are either side of -10C (14F).

Deep moisture will begin to stream northward later today, overriding the cold air at the surface. The result will be a few hours of freezing rain, starting this afternoon in eastern Ontario and the Ottawa Valley and spreading north and east into Quebec. Several hours of freezing rain are expected, with 5 to 10mm of ice accretion. Expect very slippery roads and sidewalks as well as the risk for isolated power outages in areas the see the longest duration of freezing rain such as Ottawa and Quebec City.

It has been a rather busy weather week in Montreal. On Saturday, wicked snow squalls crossed the region, with rapidly falling snow and wind gusts over 70km/h. Visibility was reduced to zero at times as shown above on Ile Perrot. Numerous accidents and road closures resulted across southern Quebec. (ValleyWeather Photo)

Temperatures will rise above freezing in Montreal overnight, as warm as 8C (47F) in areas along and south of the St. Lawrence River. Any freezing rain will change to showers in Montreal. A trailing cold front will follow on Wednesday, dropping temperatures just a quickly, down to -10C by late in the day. Winds will become quite strong on Wednesday, gusting up to 60km/h at times. Any remaining precipitation will taper off to flurries.

Another winter storm will slip south of the region on Friday, with a general 5 to 10cm of snow expected at this time for Montreal.

Snow day in southern Quebec

Schools are closed and traffic is at a standstill in may parts of Montreal Friday morning, after nearly 20cm of snow and ice fell overnight.

A potent winter storm has resulted in heavy rain and snow along with rapidly dropping temperatures over the last 36 hours. Highways are in very poor shape Friday morning, icy and snow covered. Numerous accidents have been reported in the Montreal region. Nearly every school board in southern Quebec has opted for snow day today, with more than 18cm of snow falling overnight in Montreal.

The change in weather was quick after a spring-like day on Thursday, featuring record breaking warmth for most of us. The high at Trudeau was 6.6C (44F), just shy of the record of 6.8C (44.2F) set in 2011. Here on Ile Perrot and across the off-island suburbs to the west, the high reached a balmy 9C (49F).

From deep puddles to ice and snow in just a few hours on Ile Perrot. The temperature at my home reached 9C on Thursday, but was down to 0C by 9pm last evening. More snow is on the way for the weekend. (ValleyWeather Photo) 

Late last evening a cold front crossed the St. Lawrence Valley, with rain mixing with sleet and freezing rain around 9pm and changing to snow shortly afterwards. The snow was heavy overnight, but has become lighter this morning and should end by noon. Storm totals are very impressive, with 27.6mm or rain falling in Montreal, followed by at least 20cm of snow. The temperature has dropped all the way to -10C (14F) as of 8am Friday.

The storm in question is over northern Maine this morning moving east, while the cold front has shifted into southern New England. High pressure will briefly clear skies this afternoon, along with steady or cooling temperatures, down to -15C (5F) tonight. On Saturday, a weak low pressure area will skirt across southern Quebec with light snow expected and windy conditions. Another 5cm of snow is expected for Montreal.

A very active weather pattern is expected next week, with moderating temperatures, and more mixed precipitation likely.

Multifaceted winter storm to target southern Quebec

Another spectacular February sunset in Montreal, the calm before the storm.

A special weather statement is in effect for the entire region as a winter storm develops over the next 24 to 48 hours.

A rather complicated winter storm featuring rain, flooding, strong winds, record high temperatures and eventually a flash freeze with heavy snow, will impact southern Quebec beginning Thursday. Much warmer air is streaming into the St. Lawrence Valley early Wednesday morning, allowing temperatures to finally rise after a 72 hour period of arctic air. The high Wednesday will be 4C (39F) under cloudy skies after low temperatures in the minus teens in Montreal.

Developing low pressure is expected to move northeast from the southern US along a cold front that is expected to move into our region late Thursday. The storm will pass just south of Montreal during the wee hours Friday morning. In advance of the cold front, a strong push of very warm air will result in record breaking high temperatures for many of us in southern Ontario and Quebec. The forecast high for Montreal on Thursday is 8C (46F), the record for the date is 6.8C (44F) set in 2011. 

Despite the record warmth forecast for Thursday, there may be a fresh 10 to 15cm of snow on the ground in Montreal by Friday morning. (AccuWeather.com)

Rain is forecast to develop on Thursday, with as much as 15 to 25mm for many locations. The heavy rain, mild temperatures and melting snow will lead to some localized flooding concerns. Strong southerly winds will develop on Wednesday afternoon, gusting up to 50km/h in Montreal, and 90km/h in the Richelieu Valley.

By late in the day Thursday, cold air will begin to filter into eastern Ontario and southern Quebec changing the rain to snow, with a period freezing rain possible for many locations including Ottawa and Montreal. Winds will become strong once again, backing to the northwest 30 to 50km/h. Temperatures will rapidly fall below freezing, down to -10C (14F) by Friday morning. The snow may be heavy at times with 10-15cm possible for many locations. Strong winds will cause blowing snow, and rapidly falling temperatures will turn any standing water to ice.

All this will be highly dependant on the track of the low pressure area and the timing of the cold front. The forecast is subject to change and as I said is quite complicated with plenty of moving parts. Weather warnings will likely be needed for several regions.

Flash Freeze Warning - colder weather returns

A flash freeze warning is in effect for Montreal.

Expect rapidly dropping temperatures to produce icy travel conditions over the next few hours across southeastern Ontario and southwestern Quebec.

 A flash freeze warning has been issued for all of eastern Ontario and southern Quebec through early afternoon. A strong cold front currently moving across the Ottawa Valley, will pass through Montreal and southern Quebec late this morning into the early afternoon hours. 

Temperatures fall rapidly behind the front, with any standing water freezing quickly. Close to 4mm of rain fell overnight along with plenty of melting snow. Roads will become very slippery in hurry, so if you have travel plans exercise extreme caution. 

The current temperature here on Ile Perrot is our high for today at 4C (39F). Ottawa has already dropped below freezing, down 3 degrees in the last hour, along with a burst of heavy snow. The arctic airmass is spreading southeast quickly. Winds will shift from the southwest to west, gusting up to 60km/h ushering in the frigid temperatures.

The temperature will drop in Montreal down to -8C (18F) by late afternoon, and -20C (-4F) by Sunday morning. Sunday will be sunny, but bitterly cold, with a high of only -13C (9F) and windchill readings in the minus 20s.

Frigid air returns to Montreal for Super Bowl weekend

A beautiful picture of Maison Nivard-De Saint Dizier or "The Old Stone House" as we called it while growing up in Verdun, living directly across the street on LaSalle Boulevard. The photo was taken by Peter Storey during the snowstorm last Friday morning. Montreal measured only 14.6cm of snow during the storm, far below early expectations. Other parts of southern Quebec measured as much as 25cm.

February has started off rather mild across southern Quebec, with only two days of below normal temperatures so far, and 5 days with temperature at or above the freezing point. This is a far cry from the frigid month of January, that featured 17 days colder than -20C (-4F) in Montreal, and a monthly average of only -13.5C (7.7F), 4 degrees below the long-term average. Snowfall was meager however as our rather tame winter moves along. Only 41cm fell at Trudeau Airport, the seasonal total sits at 94.8cm.

A series of weak systems will dominate the wether through Friday, with periods of showers or flurries and very mild temperatures. The high on both Thursday and Friday will approach 4C (40F). No significant accumulations are expected, but with nighttime temperatures at or slightly below freezing, there may be a few slick spots on area roads. 

A strong cold front is forecast to cross the St. Lawrence Valley by midday Saturday, ushering in an arctic airmass to end the weekend. A period of gusty winds and perhaps some snow flurries is expected along the front. However the big news will be the drop in temperatures. The mercury in Montreal will be above freezing early Saturday morning, but plummet down to -22C (-8F) by Sunday morning. Both Sunday and Monday should be fair in Montreal, but frigid, with daytime highs around -15C (5F) and overnight lows in the low minus 20s. A slight breeze will only add to the cold.

Temperatures will moderate by the middle of next week, as another storm system moves across the Great Lakes and west of Montreal. It appears southern Quebec will be on the warm side of the storm, with a mix of snow and rain expected at this time. 

Long duration snowfall expected in Montreal

A special weather statement is now in effect for metro Montreal, with 10 to 20cm of snow expected through Friday morning. The commute in Montreal on Thursday will be impacted as snow, falling temperatures and gusty wind are forecast.

Widespread weather warnings and advisories are in place from Ontario to Atlantic Canada including Montreal, as a winter storm approaches the region.

Wednesday turned into a spectacular weather day, with the mildest air so far this year. High temperatures around the Montreal region warmed between plus 4C and 6C (39-43F) under partly cloudy skies. Unfortunately, the mild weather is not going to last much longer. A strong cold front is moving across Ontario, changing rain to snow as it progresses southeast. Temperatures fall rather quickly behind the front, along with gusty northwest winds and steady snow.

Quebec's own Groundhog, Fred la Marmotte, saw his shadow today in Val-d'Espoir, predicting six more weeks of winter weather. That will become a reality quickly tonight as mild air retreats to the southeast and an arctic cold front arrives in Montreal. Rain will change to snow after midnight, and temperatures will plummet to -13C by Thursday night.

The cold front will approach the Montreal region overnight, settling across central New York and New England on Thursday. Rain will develop this evening in Montreal, changing to snow after midnight and persisting through the day on Thursday. On Thursday, low pressure will move along the front, with the snowfall picking up in intensity late in the day. In all, 10 to 20cm of snow is forecast from Montreal south to the US border and along the St. Lawrence Valley into Ontario. Temperatures will fall on Thursday from early highs near 0C (32F) down to -8C (18F) by late afternoon. Gusty northwest winds of 20-40km/h will make it feel much colder, and produce areas of blowing snow. Flurries are expected to persist into Friday.

Nicknamed the Groundhog Day storm, this system is far reaching, with weather warnings posted from Texas to Atlantic Canada impacting millions. Already today, heavy snow and freezing rain has created dangerous travel conditions across the southern plains into the Great Lakes. The snow has now moved into southwestern Ontario.