Possible tornado in Quebec - much colder weather arrives

A spectacular photo of strong thunderstorms near Drummondville taken by the Quebec Vortex team on Tuesday afternoon. (Twitter@QuebecVortex)

There is definitely a change in the air this morning in Montreal. After a muggy high near 27C (81F) on Tuesday, the temperature is a cold and dry 7C (45F) here on L'Ile Perrot this morning. Adding to the nip in the air is a 40km/h northwest wind and persistent clouds. Conditions will improve today with clearing skies and lighter winds, but it will remain quite chilly with a forecast high of only 16C (61F). Expect clear skies tonight with a cold low of only 4C (39F), as well as a chance of frost in areas away from the city. Sunshine on Thursday and warmer with a high of 21C (70F) but more cold air is forecast to arrive Friday with a high of only 12C (54F). There is an even better chance of frost by early Saturday morning. An advisory may be needed.

The unseasonably cold air arrived behind a potent cold front on Tuesday. That front generated a line of strong to severe thunderstorms Tuesday afternoon from just east of Montreal into the Beauce and Townships. There were numerous reports of heavy rainfall, wind damage and hail as well as a confirmed tornado on the ground near Ste-Majorique south of Drummondville. Environment Canada will be investigating the damage today. The tornado prompted an afternoon of tornado warnings across the Beauce as the cells raced east towards the Maine border.

A dusting of snow occurred in Val D'or on Tuesday night. (Meteo Media)

While the summer like weather was occurring here in the south, cold air pouring into central Quebec produced snow in Val D'or and Rouyn-Noranda last evening. The May snow was accompanied by gusty winds and temperatures below freezing.