Tropical Storm Sandy - Alberta snowstorm

The snow is falling in metro Calgary this morning.

It is another chilly and very typical October start to the day here in Montreal. Temperatures have just hit 2C (36F) here on L'Ile Perrot and there is a little frost on the car. We can expect a big warming trend here in eastern Canada and the US with temperatures reaching into the 20's by Friday. Sunshine will be the dominant weather factor this week with just a few showers on Thursday as a warm front lifts north of the region. The next threat for a general rain and cooler temperatures will not come until Sunday.

Alberta SNOW
The big weather news this morning is middle winter conditions across Alberta and southwest Saskatchewan. Cold temperatures in the -5C range along with a strong storm moving north from Montana, have set the stage for and early season storm. Snowfall warnings are in effect for the area including the City of Calgary. Roads are snow covered this morning and travel is slow. Accumulations are forecast in the 10-20cm (4-8 inches) range along the storm track from southern Alberta into northern Manitoba over the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Sandy
Tropical Depression number 18 has become Sandy and is located this morning about 345 miles south southwest of Kingston, Jamaica. The storm is moving very slowly north at 3mph with 45mph winds. A hurricane watch and tropical storm warning are in effect for Jamaica with a direct hit forecast by Wednesday morning. Sandy is in a favorable area for further development and will likely be a hurricane when she hits Jamaica. Beyond that eastern Cuba and Haiti, along with portions of the Bahamas can expect heavy rains and gusty winds. Sandy is then expected to move into the Atlantic east of Florida. Looking ahead into next weekend and Halloween week, numerous scenarios are in place including a possible track along the eastern Seaboard. It is too early to tell exactly where she will go and it what form, but all interests along the coast from Florida to Newfoundland should carefully monitor this storm.