Thursday, July 18, 2013

Big thunderstorms leave thousands in the dark


After a sweltering high of 33C in Montreal on Wednesday, with humidex values near 44C, big thunderstorms swept the region. The storms fired up in eastern Ontario after the lunch hour reaching heights of nearly 50,000 feet into the atmosphere near Bellevile. The storms swept the city at rush hour with torrential rain, hail and strong winds. Montreal Trudeau Airport recorded an 81km/h wind gust at 5pm along with nearly 25mm (1 inch) of rain between 5 and 6pm. The storms did not directly impact L'Ile Perrot, so I measured only 7mm here. Hail was also reported in Laval. The wind and rain knocked out power to more than 60,000 homes in southern Quebec and also flooded several streets in the north end of the city and into Laval.

We will have a brief respite from the severe weather today with another muggy day on tap. Temperatures will be a little cooler than yesterday, but will still likely reach 28 to 30C (83-86F) across the region. A warm front and associated cold front will affect southern Quebec on Friday with another very warm and humid day. Temperatures will reach 32C (90F) with humidex readings well over 40C. A strong cold front will cross the region late in the day Friday bringing an end to the heatwave. Along and ahead of the front a major severe weather outbreak is forecast with heavy thunderstorms for Ontario and Quebec beginning in the afternoon and lasting into the overnight hours. More showers for Saturday and cooler with highs near 25C. It will dry out Sunday with pleasant humidity levels, lots of sunshine and highs near 25C.

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