Potential storm for Montreal this weekend

A storm system moving across the southern US produced freezing rain in the middle Atlantic and Carolinas Wednesday. This fire truck slid off the road in Henderson, North Carolina, just one of hundreds of major accidents. More wintry weather is possible this weekend into the Northeast and New England.

It is another chilly, slippery morning in metro Montreal, but not as cold as the last few days. The temperature here on L'Ile Perrot and at Trudeau Airport is at -19C (-2F) with a light northeast wind and some very light snow or ice crystals. As with yesterday morning the threat for icy bridges and overpasses exist, especially near any open bodies of water around Montreal. Sunshine will develop again this morning but with increasing clouds as another arctic cold front approaches western Quebec by late today. Snow will develop this evening and overnight from northwest to southeast across southern Quebec with a general 2-5cm forecast. The temperature will be rather mild tonight, rising to around -8C (18F) before the cold air behind the front takes hold Friday morning. Winds will also increase overnight from the southwest 30-50km/h and continue into Friday with some blowing snow possible. Early Friday morning a line of more intense snow or squalls may develop right along the front creating some short lived but rather difficult travel with heavy snow and low visibility. The front will clear Montreal by mid morning with dropping temperatures down to -15C (5F) by late in the day.

POTENTIAL COASTAL STORM
Forecast models are coming into better agreement regarding snow and mixed precipitation this upcoming weekend for portions of southern Quebec and New England. Low pressure along the Gulf Coast will redevelop near the North Carolina and Virginia border Saturday and move northeast into New England by late Sunday. The models have the storm tracking anywhere from Albany towards the immediate coast. The exact track of the low pressure area will determine the type and quantity of precipitation for Montreal. At this time it looks like snow developing Sunday in Montreal and continuing into the evening with more than 15cm (6 inches) possible. Further south and east into the Townships and New England the snow will likely mix with freezing rain and rain. This system will have to be monitored closely as it is expected to have an impact on travel Sunday into Monday. It will turn colder again Monday with flurries and gusty winds behind the storm.