Cold & snow expected for Montreal to start new year

A superbly talented graphic artist, co-worker and friend, Vicki Fawcett, drew this for me in 2007. www.actofimagination.net

Happy New Year!
I still can't get my head around the fact that another year is over. This was, for whatever reason, probably the quickest year of my life. In any event from my family to yours I wish you a safe, healthy and Happy New Year. Thank you once again for reading my rambling weather posts, without you there is no Valley Weather/Suburban Weather Blog. I truly appreciate your time.

After a very cold day, the setting sun frames a barn in Alburgh, Vermont on Tuesday, December 30. (Valley Weather Photo)

As I write this blog early on New Years Eve, we are looking at the prospect of a decent weekend winter storm as cold air pours into western North America and spreads east. This will be in sharp contrast to the last two weeks of  December that have been as much as 10 degrees above normal. In the short term, high pressure will give us a decent day in Montreal but with increasing clouds. A low pressure trough will sweep across Ontario and Quebec with gusty winds and flurries tonight and New Years Day. Significant accumulations are expected around the Great Lakes, so be prepared if your travels take you to Toronto along the 401 or south on Interstate 81 towards Syracuse, NY. Away from the lakes and here in Montreal, only a dusting is likely. Winds may reduce visibility briefly in blowing snow Thursday. The temperature is cold this morning at -13C on L'Ile Perrot, but should warm to -8C today and -5C on Thursday.

NEXT STORM ARRIVES THIS WEEKEND
On Saturday, low pressure is expected to develop over the Ohio Valley and move down the St. Lawrence Valley on Sunday. We are looking at a mixed precipitation event for Montreal and Ottawa at this time with a burst of heavy snow late Saturday followed by a mix with sleet, freezing rain and rain for Sunday. Accumulations could be significant in Montreal, southern Quebec and eastern Ontario, and warnings may be needed. The weekend will be busy for travel, so please stay informed on the latest forecast. The track of this system is not set at this time and big swings in the forecast are possible. I will update this blog frequently on this potential storm. The low will move into Atlantic Canada by Monday with the coldest air of the season pouring into Ontario and Quebec on strong winds and lake effect snow just in time for back to work.