Frigid with blowing snow advisory for southern Quebec

Low pressure is diving southeast across the Great Lakes today and will move towards Cape Cod tonight. This storm will then deepen rapidly into a major Nor'easter as it moves along the coast and into Nova Scotia. A very tight pressure gradient on the west side of the storm will increase winds across the Great Lakes basin and St. Lawrence Valley late today and Sunday. Winds in excess of 60km/h are likely in Montreal with higher gusts along the waterways. The result will be widespread blowing snow late this afternoon, overnight and early Sunday. Environment Canada has posted a blowing snow advisory for metro Montreal and points south with visibility expected to be under 1km at times. Travel with caution later today, especially outside the city going south.

As far as accumulations go, Montreal will be on the edge of the precipitation shield with perhaps 5-10cm (2-4 inches) of snow over the next 24 hours. The northwest wind will also pull down bitterly cold air with readings around -18C (0F) today and Sunday and windchill readings in the minus 30's. Lows Sunday night may be the coldest of the season, down to -25C with windchill values approaching -40C in southern Quebec and Ontario. The same forecast holds true for New York and New England with more snow forecast in those regions. A vast amount of warnings are in effect from the Ohio Valley across southern Ontario and Quebec, New England and into Atlantic Canada. Snowfall will range form 10-40cm across those regions. Winds will gust to hurricane force along the New England coast and into the Maritimes. Coastal flooding is possible in many communities. Around the Great Lakes snow squalls will affect the area south of Georgian Bay and Lake Huron as well as western New York as the cold air surges in. The Nor'Easter will pull away into Newfoundland by Monday with diminishing winds and very cold temperatures in its wake across Quebec.

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.