Thunderstorms expected for Tuesday commute in Montreal

This photo above is from Sheldon Regional Airport in northwest Iowa. Winds in excess of 95mph (152km/h) flattened several hangers destroying aircraft. The cluster of thunderstorms knows a derecho, moved rapidly across several states with damage reported over a 400km swath. (TWC)

 A large area of rain and thunderstorms will advance northeast and arrive in southern Quebec just in time for the Tuesday morning commute in Montreal, between 5 and 8am. Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement highlighting the heavy rain and possible storms. This morning the same weather system produced a wide swath of damaging thunderstorms with powerful winds exceeding 100mph (160km/h). The storms, also know as a derecho, caused major damage from South Dakota to Wisconsin. In the simplest terms, a derecho is know as a widespread fast-moving windstorm associated with severe weather. Numerous reports of structural damage and power outages were reported during the early morning hours. The thunderstorms are now pushing across Michigan towards southern Ontario and the eastern Great Lakes.

Last night the strongest thunderstorm so far this year to affect the West Island and L'Ile Perrot dumped close to 20mm of rain in less than 30 minutes at my home. Gusty winds and frequent lightning accompanied the 10pm storm. It has been a partly cloudy, humid day in Montreal today with high temperatures around 27C (81F). Tonight will be muggy with mild lows near 18C (65F). Tuesday will start off with widespread rain and thunderstorms from the pre-dawn hours through midday. Once the showers and storms move off to the east of Montreal, skies should clear, but it will be very windy, gusting from 40-70km/h in the St. Lawrence Valley. Temperatures will be mild again, up to 26C (79F). A spell of quiet, cool and dry weather is then expected from Wednesday through Friday.