Arctic blast

It was a spectacular weekend across Ontario and Quebec. Montreal was sunny and mild with perfect weather for any outdoor activity, be it work or play. I spent the weekend getting the house ready for snow and cold and firing up the snow blower to make sure all is well. It was timely because major changes are on the way from the west coast and eventually to the east.

Starting today, a weak frontal boundary has produced some showers in Montreal, with very mild temperatures. We will slowly clear out this afternoon and remain that way into Tuesday. Meanwhile a clipper system backed by a potent arctic air mass is developing in the west and expected to track across BC and into Alberta, Saskatchewan and Montana. This storm will produce an area of steady snow late Tuesday into Wednesday from Calgary to Swift Current and points south. Winter Storm Warnings have been posted in both provinces. Even outside the warning area snow and blowing snow will make travel difficult. High winds and dropping temperatures will develop as well with near blizzard conditions forecast for the Trans Canada Highway. From 15-25cm of snow is forecast with temperatures plunging to colder than -10C behind the storm in places like Edmonton and Calgary. The low pressure will eventually spread across to the east with colder air moving onto Quebec and Ontario by Friday.

In the meantime our weather will be coming from low pressure developing along the US Gulf Coast. Rain late Tuesday and Wednesday will bring between 15-25mm to the city. That will be followed by breezy conditions and dropping temperatures by Friday. By next weekend high temperatures will likely stray below freezing in Montreal with the chance of snow showers.