Take a ride on the temperature roller coaster Montreal

Heavy wet snow left nearly 100,000 customers in the dark in New Hampshire. 
(New Hampshire Union Leader Photo)

We missed another storm, that makes 4 already in this young season for metro Montreal. Winter has raged across wide portions of North America this November and yesterday was no different. A strong Nor'Easter moved from Cape Cod into Atlantic Canada overnight producing a wide swath of heavy wet snow. Amounts in excess of 15cm (6 inches) fell in Vermont and the Townships with 25cm (10 inches) or more from Albany, NY across southern Vermont and into New Hampshire, Maine and New Brunswick. The weight of the snow brought down tree branches on power lines with widespread power outages reported. Nearly 200,000 customers were without power in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine with another 40,000 in New Brunswick. The weather also resulted in the cancellation or delay of over 4000 flights on the busy day before US Thanksgiving. On the roads it was no better with several major accidents and at least one fatality in Maine.

The ground is white in Lacolle as snow missed Montreal but did fall along the US border. (Quebec 511)

The snow never quite made it to Montreal, in many cases showing up on radar but evaporating before hitting the ground. However the ground is white south of Montreal from Lacolle east into Sherbrooke and the Townships. Not even one flake fell on L'Ile Perrot. Roads are in good shape this morning if you are heading south into Plattsburgh or Burlington. There are slick spots but the crews have done a tremendous job. Towards Sherbrooke and Stanstead roads are still snow covered as the snow is still falling there.

Temperature Roller Coaster
Montreal will now hop on the temperature roller coaster for a ride many of us don't want to be on. I am not a fan of weather like this to be quite honest. Today and Friday we will be near normal around 0C (32F) for highs. That will be followed by -2C (28C) on Saturday but plus 8C (48F) on Sunday and plus 12C (54F) on Monday. However by Tuesday a cold front will drop us back down to -8C (18F). The trend will then repeat itself next week. A few flurries are possible tonight into Friday morning and then again Saturday night. Showers are likely Sunday and Monday. No majors storms on the horizon at this time.

East coast snowstorm to brush Montreal today

From AccuWeather this morning. These amounts have shifted a little north and west , with the 1-3 inch line coming closer to Montreal later today and tonight.

The busiest travel day of the year in the US is being greeted with a Nor'Easter along the American east coast. Low pressure currently near the Delmarva area will move northeast to lie near Cape Cod this evening. A swath of moisture is moving north and will overspread New York and New England today. Rain is forecast along the immediate coast and wet snow inland with accumulations forecast of 6-12" (15-30cm). The heaviest snow will fall from Albany, New York across central Vermont and into New Hampshire, into Maine and New Brunswick.

Montreal will remain on the northern edge of the storm. The forecast track has shifted slightly west so the chance for some accumulating snow along the border areas has increased. Montreal is only expecting a few flurries this afternoon, but 2-4cm is possible form the south shore to the US border. If your travels take you towards Sherbrooke, they can expect 10-15cm (4-6 inches), so travel will be affected. Expect snow covered highways heading south and east by late today with lowering visibility. Winds have finally died down today after a nasty couple of days in southern Quebec. They will increase latter today out of the northeast this time to 30km/h. Cold air has moved into Montreal, so after a record high of 18C (65F) on Monday it is only -1C (30F) this morning. It will not get any warmer today.

Strong winds blast Quebec & Ontario after record warmth

Winds gusting to over 100km/h in Montreal tore this roof off a building Monday evening. (Photo Meteomedia Twitter)

There is so much to talk about this morning in the weather department as the seasons clash. Deep 978mb low pressure over the northern Great Lakes is the dividing line between early fall and winter weather. Montreal was on the warm side of the storm on Monday as strong southerly winds helped push temperatures to nearly 20C. New record highs were established at Trudeau Airport, 17.8C beating the old record of 17.5 set in 1999. Records were also set at Sainte-Anne and L'Ile Perrot at 20C, St Anicet and Cornwall, Ontario at 21.3C (70F), Ottawa 19.4C and Toronto 18.3C.

Winds in excess of 90km/h across eastern Ontario caused plenty of damage to signs, roof shingles and trees. This one was toppled west of Kemptville, Ontario. Power was also out to over 70,000 customers. (Photo: J.Kinnear)

A strong cold front swept across the city of Montreal around 7pm last evening with powerful winds, thunder and lightning. The strongest wind gust of the year was observed at Trudeau Airport around 6:50pm at 107km/h (67mph). Wind gusts all night have been frequently over 80km/h in Montreal. The wind knocked out power to over 45,000 customers in Quebec. That number is down this morning as Hydro Quebec crews work to repair the damage. A roof was even ripped from a home on Beaudry near St. Catherine Street. No injuries were reported. Heavy rain fell along the front as well as yesterday morning with 16mm reported at the airport and on L'Ile Perrot.

East Coast Snowstorm
Temperatures are down this morning and will stay there all day. After the summer like warmth on Monday, we will be lucky to surpass 5C (41F) today in Montreal. The other story this morning is the potential east coast snowstorm. That front that brought us the wind will stall along the east coast and allow low pressure to develop off the North Carolina coast and move northeast. The storm will pass near Cape Cod on Wednesday night. Snow is forecast to fall across a wide swath of New England, Atlantic Canada and the northeast US. This comes during the busiest travel time of the year stateside, the Thanksgiving holiday. The potential storm has prompted a wide range of watches and warnings for 15-30cm (6-12inches) of snow. At this time is looks like the snow will just brush the border regions of southern Quebec.

A 24 hour break from winter in southern Ontario & Quebec

The crazy western New York weather will write a new chapter today as strong south winds drive the temperature up over 60F. The warmth combined with showers will help produce flooding as the 3 to 6 feet of lake effect snow melts rapidly. 
(Photo AOL News)

A warm front is in the process of lifting across southern Quebec this morning. Heavy rain overnight has put down about 15mm, and all of our snow cover has melted. Temperatures are very mild at 10C (50F) this morning. The rain will come to an end shortly with just a chance of showers for the balance of the day. It will be windy and warm with southerly gusts to 70km/h possible today into tonight in Montreal, and a near record high of 15C (59F). The record high for today in Montreal was 17.5C (64F) set in 1999.

An arctic cold front will blast across Ontario and Quebec tonight and Tuesday with winds gusting as high as 90km/h in some locations and much cooler air arriving. Wind warnings have been posted for many regions of southern Ontario. Temperatures will fall to around 5C (41F) Tuesday and remain there most of the day. It will drop to the freezing point Tuesday night. On Wednesday cold air streaming across the Great Lakes will produce more lake effect snow, especially in central Ontario. A coastal storm is also forecast to develop and move up the American east coast just in time for the busy U.S. Thanksgiving travel period. We will watch that closely to see what impact, if any, it has on southern Quebec. It will turn much colder by the weekend with lows down as cold as -10C and highs remaining well below freezing.

Big warm up on the way for southern Quebec

A major warming trend is forecast by the end of this upcoming weekend, until then it will be windy, cold and perhaps a little snow for Montreal. The big story this morning continues to be the unseasonably cold air and early season snows across the Great Lakes. Montreal is at -2C this morning and we have a fresh 2cm of snow on the ground. Expect a windy day with flurries and a high near 0C (32F). A strong cold front will cross the area this afternoon with a few snow showers followed by a cold night with lows near -9C (16F). Friday will be windy and cold once again with highs near -4C (25F). Winds over the next 24 hours will be between 30-60km/h.

Just a stupid amount of snow in West Seneca, New York south of Buffalo. Another 1 to 3 feet of lake effect snow is forecast today into Friday before the storm ends.

Buffalo Snow
The snow across western New York continues to be beyond impressive. A passing trough of low pressure briefly pushed the snow plume north of the battered Buffalo south towns and into the Niagara region of Ontario last evening. Heavy snow, thunder and lightning and strong winds put down a quick 15cm (6 inches) in places like St. Catherines,  Fort Erie and Niagara Falls before shifting back south again into New York. This morning the heavy snow is falling from metro Buffalo south into Erie County. Another 1 to 3 feet of snow is forecast over the next 24 hours on top of the 4 to 6 feet that fell this week. This amount is becoming dangerous putting a tremendous strain on all dwellings. A driving ban is in effect as well the National Guard has been called out to help with rescue and relief efforts. So far 8 deaths have been blamed on the storm. The snow has brought life to a standstill in the affected areas, this may include the NFL game between the Buffalo Bills and the New York Jets scheduled for Sunday. Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park is under tons of snow. The Bills are offering $10 per hour to fans as well as free tickets to those who can help shovel out the facility. So far the game remains on schedule for Sunday. Relief is in sight by Saturday with a major warm up and some rain. That may lead to flooding and a tremendous concern for any roofs not cleared of the massive quantity of snow.

Forgotten in the news has been Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence County, NY off Lake Ontario that has had just as much snow. This area is located just south of Brockville, Ontario and the Thousand Islands. More snow is forecast there as well making travel down Interstate 81 around Watertown nearly impossible today.

Epic snowfall for western New York - little for Montreal

A quick shot of snow on L'Ile Perrot last night left about 5cm (2") on the ground. (ValleyWX)

Late last evening a weak trough of low pressure crossed the St. Lawrence Valley and for a brief period tapped into the Lake Ontario snow plume. The result was a quick 5cm (2 inches) of snow at my home on L'Ile Perrot between 9-11pm. Gusty winds accompanied the snow and with this mornings current temperature of -8C, it feels and looks like winter. A little less snow fell on most of the island of Montreal with more towards the US border. It will be partly sunny today but breezy and cold with a high of -3C. More light snow is forecast tonight before another shot of cold air to end the week. A warm up is on the horizon by the end of the weekend. More on that later.

The New York State Thruway south of Buffalo is impassable, clogged with 3-4 feet of snow. Travel in western New York on I-81 and I-90 is not possible for long stretches. (NY State Police Photo)

Western New York Snowstorm
Our weather is part of a bigger picture of record cold and early season snow across a wide chunk of North America. By now many of you have seen the wild pictures from western New York. Typically this area is very familiar with heavy snow but this lake effect event has been historic. In less than 24 hours over 50 inches of snow fell on the south-towns of Buffalo with 30-40 inches near and south of Watertown, New York. As is typical with lake effect snow, the bands are elongated but narrow, affecting 10 miles or so with the most intense snow. Such was the case on Tuesday with Lancaster, NY receiving 42 inches of snow while Buffalo Airport, just 3 miles away to the northwest, had only 3 inches. Where the snow has fallen it has been disabling with a state of emergency in effect and the National Guard called into action. Miles of the New York Thruway are closed, littered with abandoned and in some cases occupied cars. Police and fire have had to respond on snowmobiles and in some cases on foot. The storm has turned deadly with 5 fatalities reported as of this morning. The snow has lifted north into the Niagara and Fort Erie, Ontario region this morning and will slowly taper as a wind shift occurs. It will however return on Thursday as a fresh batch of arctic air races across the open waters of Lakes Erie and Ontario as well as Huron.

Cold & windy few days for Montreal

The first snow of the season slowed traffic in Montreal on Monday. Today howling winds are forecast up to 90km/h for the St. Lawrence Valley. (Photo - The Suburban)

 The first snow for winter 2014/15 is in the books with 6-10cm falling in Montreal and 5-15cm across eastern Ontario. Wet snow fell all day in Montreal on Monday mixed occasionally with rain. A strong arctic cold front moved across Quebec overnight with temperatures dropping to the current reading of -5C (23F). The big news today as far as Montreal goes is the wind. Gusty southwest winds are increasing this morning with a gust a Trudeau Airport already reaching 79km/h. They will remain strong all day reaching 90km/h at times. Wind warnings have been issued by Environment Canada for the St. Lawrence Valley and most of southern Quebec. Other than a few flurries off the Lake Ontario band of snow, it should be partly sunny, but cold with highs no better than -3C.

HISTORIC LAKE SNOWS
That lake effect snow band I spoke of will be historic in places such as Buffalo and Watertown, N.Y. Two well established plumes of snow have formed over the relatively warm waters of Lakes Ontario and Erie. Overnight heavy snow fell in the suburbs south of Buffalo with over 2 feet (60cm) reported. Elma, New York has already had 32.4 inches. The snow was driven by southwest winds reaching 45mph. Needless to say travel is nearly impossible in a small region that included portions of the New York State Thruway south of Buffalo towards the Pennsylvania border. The snow was accompanied by thunder an lighting and fell at the rate of 4 inches (10cm) per hour at times. Heavy lake snows are also falling in Ontario east of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay. Some of that activity may make it into the Ottawa Valley.

Off Lake Ontario, another narrow band of snow will produce 1-2 feet across the region from the Thousand Islands south to Watertown and the Tug Hill and northeast into St. Lawrence County and the Adirondacks. Some of this activity may make it into the northern St. Lawrence Valley closer to southwest Quebec but it would be light. This major lake effect event is expected to last well into Wednesday so we could be looking at significant amounts of snow in New York and Ontario by weeks end.

Snow for Montreal - winter returns to Ontario & Quebec

The first snow of the season covered the ground on L'Ile Perrot Sunday morning. (ValleyWX)

Our current battle with winter is early but not unprecedented. Montreal awoke to a thin layer of wet snow on Sunday morning with a general 2 or 3cm (about 1 inch) across the area. The snow was all but gone by noon as temperatures rose to 3C (39F). Snow is falling again this morning in southern Quebec as low pressure moves from the Gulf of Mexico across the Ohio and St. Lawrence Valley's. Accumulations are expected to range from 5cm (2 inches) in metro Montreal to as much as 15cm (6 inches) across the higher elevations north and east of the city. Winds will be light today, but increase dramatically overnight and into Tuesday as the storm moves into eastern Quebec and deepens. Wind gusts in excess of 70km/h are possible by Tuesday in Montreal. The winds will blow around any remaining snow, as well as make it much colder than the forecast high of -1C (30F).

Lake Effect Storm
Those same winds will generate a significant lake effect snow event across western and central New York state, around Lake Huron and Georgian Bay in Ontario and even the southern St. Lawrence Valley between Kingston and Brockville. Heavy lake effect snow will develop later tonight and persist into Wednesday. Forecasters expect 1 to 2 feet (30-60cm) of snow along with 80km/h winds in spots. The near blizzard conditions will be accompanied by thunder and lightning in some cases. This will be a major lake effect storm with travel difficult to impossible along portions of Highway 401 as well as Interstates 81 and 90 in New York. The current warnings include Watertown and Buffalo as well as the Adirondacks of New York. In Ontario, snow squall watches are posted for a wide area from Georgian Bay to the upper Ottawa Valley as well as the Niagara Region and Prince Edward County to Kingston. Some of the most persistent squalls may even brush extreme southwest Quebec late Tuesday.

Potential first measurable snow for Montreal this weekend

The tale of two Montreal's. Montreal, Wisconsin (The Weather Channel) above, measured over 125cm (50 inches) of snow this week as a record cold outbreak swept over North America. Meanwhile the first snow of the season, just a trace, fell on Montreal, Quebec, below. It remains cold with more snow expected this weekend.

 The early season cold snap has been one for the record books. While the snow and extreme cold has manged to evade Montreal, such has not been the case across a wide swath of the country.  Nearly 60 record lows were established across the Prairies on Friday morning alone. That being said, it is the coldest morning of the season in southern Quebec with -4C (25F) here on L'Ile Perrot. It is as cold as -10C in other parts of eastern Ontario and across the Laurentians. It will warm today to near 0C. Clouds will increase as that persistent southwest flow off the Great Lakes continues. Occasional flurries are also possible from time to time. That flow has generated signifcant lake effect snow downwind of the Great Lakes. Many regions have reported 10-20cm of snow. Incredibly 125cm (50 inches) fell this week at Montreal, Wisconsin near the Michigan border in the northern portion of the state. The amount will likely establish a new state record for a single event.

St Laurent, Quebec, Friday. (ValleyWX)

Montreal Snow
Once again Montreal is looking at the possibility of a measurable snowfall. A few flurries are possible late today into early Sunday with perhaps a dusting to 2cm to whiten the ground. Temperatures will be cold with highs near 0C (32F) and lows around -4C (25F). Low pressure will then move from the lower Great Lakes off the coast near New York City while deepening late Sunday. This will not be a monster storm, but it does have the potential to put down between 5 and 15cm (2-6 inches) of snow across a wide area from the Ohio Valley into New England and likely southern Quebec. The snow would start late Sunday or early Monday and taper Tuesday in the overnight hours. There is still some question as to the track of the system and Montreal may be just on the northern edge. Cold air will wrap in behind the storm with temperatures well below normal all next week and significant lake effect snow in western New York and even the southwest St. Lawrence Valley west of Brockville.

The Anniversary of the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

"The Captain wired in he had water coming in And the good ship and crew was in peril
And later that night when his lights went out of sight, Came the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald."
Gordon Lightfoot
© 1976 Moose Music, Inc.

November 10th was the 39th anniversary of the wreck of the iron ore carrier SS Edmund Fitzgerald with the loss of all 29 on board just off Whitefish Point, Michigan on Lake Superior. While weather played a definite role, the exact details of the sinking of this massive, majestic ship remains a mystery even today. It went down quickly and with very little warning, taking the 29 mariners with it.

The sinking was caused in part by a strong fall storm, often referred to as a "November Witch". These are powerful storms that develop over the Rockies or plains and sweep across the central Great Lakes. Mariners named the storm such because of the howling winds that sounded eerily like the cackle of a witch. They feature big swings in temperature, snow and rain and intense winds up to hurricane force at times. The 1975 storm was extreme, with 20-foot waves on Lake Superior and winds gusting over 50 knots. The severe weather was confined to an area along the immediate trajectory of the storm and especially rough in the waters of eastern Lake Superior, exactly where the Edmund Fitzgerald was traveling. It was a case of being in the wrong place at exactly the wrong time. The storm was known as a weather bomb with rapidly dropping pressure from 1000mb over Kansas to 978mb over James Bay within 24 hours. The rapid intensification caught the ship and its crew and other ships in the area without warning. The ship sank quickly and catastrophically, virtually disappearing off the radar screens of nearby vessels in a matter of seconds. Over the years, memorial services are often held near Whitefish Point, Michigan, not far from the final resting place of the majestic ship and her crew of 29 brave men. The ship is in 162 metres of water just inside the Canadian boundary.

Winter closing in on Southern Quebec

Winter weather is closing in on southern Quebec and metro Montreal. We have managed to miss the snowflakes this fall as well as a general frost here in the city. That will end this weekend and into next week. This mornings storm system over the east coast is giving southern Quebec light rain and snow mixed. Temperatures in Montreal are chilly at 3C (39F) and they won't warm much today. Some snow is falling over the Ottawa Valley, east of Quebec City and over the higher elevations of the Townships and Vermont. Any precipitation will be light and should end by noon. Temperatures under partly cloudy skies will be cold tonight down to -3C (27F). On Saturday clouds will increase as another system moves from Ontario into Quebec. A period of light rain or wet snow is possible with perhaps 2-4cm across the Laurentians and into the Ottawa Valley.

SNOW FOR MONTREAL?
By next week a strong arctic front will cross the region by Tuesday with low pressure developing in the Ohio Valley and moving northeast. There is a threat for rain changing to accumulating snow on Tuesday in Montreal, southern Quebec and eastern Ontario. We will have to monitor the progress of this system.

This morning wet snow is falling across northern Maine, western New Brunswick and the Gaspe. Warnings are posted as upwards of 15-30cm (6-12 inches) are possible. Schools are closed and power outages are likely in the same area that was hard hit by last weekends storm. Reporting stations along the northern Maine and New Brunswick border are at or below freezing this morning with snow falling. It will continue most of the day.

Another snowstorm to miss Montreal

From AccuWeather.com

The first flakes of the season will likely fall in Montreal over the next 24 hours but it could have been much worse. Low pressure developing over the Great Lakes will move just off the coast of New Jersey later today and then lift northeast across Cape Cod and into the Gulf of Maine. The system will deepen like the storm last weekend, but remain far enough east to only give us a glancing blow. If you are keeping count that is 0-2 for Montreal. They are not so lucky in New Brunswick and the Gaspe where the same regions hammered by last weeks storm will receive another 15-25cm (6-10 inches) of wet snow. Snow will also fall Friday along the St. Lawrence Valley northeast from Quebec City. It will be windy with blowing snow, so keep this in mind if your travels take you towards Quebec City, the Gaspe, Lower North Shore or Atlantic Canada.

For Montreal, a cold rain will develop late today and change over to a mix of wet snow overnight and taper off to flurries on Friday. Most valley locations will receive little if any accumulations at this time. Upper elevations of the Eastern Townships may have 5cm (up to 2 inches) by Friday morning. Just a few flurries are forecast for Ottawa and eastern Ontario. Moderate snow will fall in the Adirondacks as well as the Green and White Mountains, where 5-20cm (2-8 inches) is possible tonight and Friday. Winter Weather Advisories have been issued for those regions. Winds will be strong in all regions, out of the northeast then northwest 30-50km/h. Temperatures will be turning colder, 7C (45F) today for Montreal, 1C (33F) overnight and only 3C (39F) Friday and Saturday.

Looking ahead to next week the coldest air of the season is poised to head south across the Great Lakes and into Ontario and Quebec. Some snow is possible next week in Montreal as well.

Major storm hits Gaspe - cold weather for Montreal

Over 30cm of snow fell along the Maine, New Brunswick border and into the Gaspe region of Quebec on Sunday.
(Via Twitter)

 It is a chilly morning in Montreal to start this work week, the coldest so far this season. Temperatures dropped to between 0 and -2C (28-32F) around the region, not too bad for early November, but a gusty north wind up to 40km/h is making it feel much colder. Windchill values are in the -5 to -7C range. It will warm up today under sunny skies with highs close to 6C (43F). Winds will however remain gusty as strong low pressure continues to lift north across extreme eastern Quebec and Labrador. That storm brought lots of wind to Montreal over the weekend but no precipitation.

The Nor'Easter brought heavy rain and snow to New England and Atlantic Canada with some areas receiving over 30cm (1 foot) of snow. The heavy wet snow brought down trees and power lines plunging thousands of residents into the dark across northern Maine and western New Brunswick into the Gaspe region.Over 135,000 customers were in the dark in northern Maine around Bangor, where 1 foot of snow fell. Hydro crews from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia are on the way this morning to help their neighbours restore power in Maine. In Quebec about 2500 customers have no power this morning, with almost 14,000 in New Brusnwick.

Snow even fell in Foxborough, Massachusetts home of the New England Patriots. Crews scrambled to clear the field before the NFL game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday afternoon. (NFL.com)

Travel is not being advised across central portions of the Gaspe north onto the lower North Shore of Quebec this morning where 30-50cm (12-20 inches) is expected before the snow ends later today. On Sunday, 23cm fell at Bathurst, New Brunswick, with 30cm at Perth Andover. St. John's, Newfoundland reported 59mm of rain while Cape Race had 71.5mm of rain. The strongest wind was at Wreckhouse with a gust to 107km/h (66mph).

Snow for Gaspe & New Brunswick - storm to miss Montreal

Rare snow on the pumpkins this morning across western North and South Carolina. Photo Twitter@EdPiotrowski

A strong Atlantic coast storm is developing this morning east of Delaware and will move north towards Nova Scotia on Sunday. Warnings have bee posted from the middle Atlantic states into Atlantic Canada. Montreal will only be affected by the extreme western flank of clouds from the system as well a gusty northerly winds up to 50km/h. Clouds will prevail today with clearing Sunday. Temperatures will be at 5C (41F) with overnight lows near -1C (30F).

As you move east of Quebec City snow will develop tonight from south to north and increase in intensity the closer you get to the New Brunswick border. Environment Canada has issued heavy snowfall and winter storm warnings for portions of New Brunswick and the Gaspe. Areas of northern interior Maine, New Brunswick and the Gaspe Peninsula can expect 15-30cm (6-12 inches) of heavy wet snow by late Sunday. All the snow will be driven by northeast winds up to 70km/h. The snow will tapper off late Sunday as the low moves towards Newfoundland. Temperatures will be around the freezing point for the event in the warned regions. In Nova Scotia and PEI heavy rain is forecast along with strong winds.

Some flurries or very light snow may edge into the Eastern Townships, northern Vermont and the Quebec City area late tonight and early Sunday. The core of the coldest air along with moisture dove south on Halloween deep into the southern US. A rare early season snow is on the ground this morning across portions of western North and South Carolina, northern Georgia and Tennessee. The developing Nor'Easter is also producing coastal flooding from the Outer Banks to Cape Cod. Light snow even fell in Toronto last night before Montreal!