Latest news with #JulienPellerin
Montreal Gazette
5 days ago
- Climate
- Montreal Gazette
Sunday's record-setting storm could repeat on Thursday
By The storm that flooded basements and inundated highways in Montreal Sunday set a record for the amount of rainfall recorded in a 24-hour period, meteorologists reported Monday. With weather conditions for the next two days mirroring what was seen just prior to Sunday's deluge — extreme heat and high humidity followed by a cold front — Montreal could be swamped with a similar downpour on Thursday. Environment Canada measured 81.6 millimetres of rain at its recording station at Montreal—Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport on Sunday. That surpassed the previous record set last summer on July 10, when the remnants of Hurricane Beryl dropped 79.2 millimetres of rain on Montreal. Rainfalls of anywhere from 70 to 100 millimetres hit different parts of the island Sunday, Environment Canada said. But only the readings taken at specific data sites are used for official tallies. 'It was intense, climatologically,' said Environment Canada meteorologist Julien Pellerin. 'It was one of the most intense days ever.' The first wave of the storm at around 3:30 p.m. dropped 58 millimetres of rain on Montreal in an hour, followed by less severe thundershowers afterward. Boucherville on the South Shore received 50 millimetres in 45 minutes, and Longueuil was soaked with 43 millimetres in an hour. Blainville and Rosemère on the North Shore saw 100 millimetres of rain in 90 minutes. The storm also brought gusting winds that felled trees in Montreal and hydro poles in Ste-Martine, south of the city. Unlike last year's deluge, which came at the end of a hurricane, Sunday's rain was caused by the moisture that collected in the atmosphere because of the high heat and humidity on the weekend. Then a cold front that was generated over Hudson Bay in northern Quebec swept through the southern part of the province, propelling the moisture pooling near the surface upward, which caused rapid condensation followed by precipitation. A strong thunderstorm line formed west of Montreal at about noon and moved eastward throughout the day. Montreal and its surrounding regions were hit with successive waves of thunderstorms. Downpours of such intensity are common in July, which is the most active month of the year for thunderstorms, Pellerin said. The heat is expected to return Tuesday and Wednesday, with maximum temperatures between 31 and 33 C both days. High humidity will result in humidex values approaching 40 C. Another cold front is expected to sweep through on Thursday, which could bring similar conditions to Sunday. The intensity of the storm depends on when it hits. If it strikes at night or in the early morning, when the amount of moisture in the air is lower, it won't be as powerful, Pellerin said. But if it strikes in the afternoon, when the heat of the day is at its maximum and there's a significant amount of moisture in the air, 'I would say if you have something planned for Thursday, you might want to reschedule,' Pellerin said. Adding to the discomfort, Environment Canada issued a 'special air quality statement' Monday at noon advising residents that smoke from forest fires in the Prairies was causing poor air quality and reduced visibility. Conditions were expected to gradually improve by Tuesday. The weather service noted that as smoke levels increase, health risks increase. It advised citizens to limit time outdoors and to reduce or reschedule outdoor sports, activities and events if possible. Increased smoke could cause eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches or a mild cough. More serious but less common symptoms include wheezing, chest pains or severe cough. Residents should keep doors and windows closed, but if there is a heat warning at the same time, keeping cool is the priority, Environment Canada said. Signs of excessive heat exposure may include headache, nausea, dizziness, thirst, dark urine and intense fatigue. Stop your activity and drink water if these symptoms occur.
National Post
23-06-2025
- Climate
- National Post
Intensifying heat dome over parts of Eastern Canada fueling unpredictable weather in the West
Blame the heat dome hanging over Ontario and Quebec for some of the strange weather hitting other parts of the country. Article content Environment Canada meteorologist Julien Pellerin says scorching temperatures over the eastern part of the continent are causing below-normal temperatures in other regions, which have led to warnings of wet snow and heavy rain in the West. Article content Article content Article content 'If you have a heat dome on a sector, you can expect colder air in another sector, so that's what the Prairies are currently experiencing,' Pellerin said on Sunday. Article content Article content 'It's coming from the United States, a high-pressure system that doesn't move quickly … so it brings intense heat and moist air over southern Ontario and southern Quebec, and it'll settle there for the next three days.' Article content The dangerous temperature levels span from southwestern Ontario towards North Bay, Sudbury and Timmins, while in Quebec, the highest temperatures are expected from Montreal to Shawinigan and north up to Abitibi. Pellerin says he expects Ontario and Quebec to hit their peak daytime highs on Monday and Tuesday with temperatures rising above 30 C, and the humidex making it feel more like 40 to 45 degrees, depending on the region. Article content 'It won't last very long,' he added. 'By the end of Tuesday and Wednesday, we will have a transition in air mass all over Canada, especially over Quebec and Ontario.' Article content Article content Environment Canada warned of possible thunderstorms and tornadoes in northern parts of Ontario on the weekend. A dangerous storm ripped through the Mattawa area in northeastern Ontario late Saturday night, which caused the closure of Highway 17 between Bonfield and Mattawa.
National Observer
23-06-2025
- Climate
- National Observer
'Heat dome' over Ontario and Quebec is causing wild weather across much of Canada
Blame the heat dome hanging over Ontario and Quebec for some of the strange weather hitting other parts of the country. Environment Canada meteorologist Julien Pellerin says scorching temperatures over the eastern part of the continent are causing below-normal temperatures in other regions, which have led to warnings of wet snow and heavy rain in the West. "If you have a heat dome on a sector, you can expect colder air in another sector, so that's what the Prairies are currently experiencing," Pellerin said on Sunday. "It's coming from the United States, a high-pressure system that doesn't move quickly … so it brings intense heat and moist air over southern Ontario and southern Quebec and it'll settle there for the next three days." The dangerous temperature levels span from southwestern Ontario towards North Bay, Sudbury and Timmins, while in Quebec the highest temperatures are expected from Montreal to Shawinigan and north up to Abitibi. Pellerin says he expects Ontario and Quebec to hit their peak daytime highs on Monday and Tuesday with temperatures rising above 30 C, and the humidex making it feel more like 40 to 45 degrees, depending on the region. "It won't last very long," he added. "By the end of Tuesday and Wednesday, we will have a transition in air mass all over Canada, especially over Quebec and Ontario." Environment Canada warned of possible thunderstorms and tornadoes in northern parts of Ontario on the weekend. A dangerous storm ripped through the Mattawa area in northeastern Ontario late Saturday night, which caused the closure of Highway 17 between Bonfield and Mattawa. Ontario Provincial Police said in a news release Sunday evening they helped evacuate approximately 290 people from two provincial parks in the area due to the storm, and the neighbouring Municipality of Calvin issued a state of emergency Sunday afternoon, warning residents in a social media post to avoid unnecessary travel due to downed trees, power lines and washouts disrupting local roads. Other parts of the country, meantime, are seeing surprises from the heat dome. On Saturday, Environment Canada warned that areas in British Columbia could face heavy showers, and over some of the highway summits, the possibility of wet snow. Heavy rainfall advisories that had been in effect in southern Alberta were all lifted by Sunday, but the region received significant precipitation. City residents were being warned to stay off the Bow River. The Calgary Fire Department advised against boating and all other water activities on the Bow due to higher-than-normal water flow, although the city said flooding over riverbanks was not expected. 'We know that Calgarians love their rivers, yet we also know that when our waterways flow this high and fast, there's significant risk to anyone, regardless of your watercraft or skill level,' Calgary Fire Deputy Chief Pete Steenaerts said in a news release. Saskatchewan's Water Security Agency warned the Alberta rain could also lead to increased flows on the South Saskatchewan River between the Alberta boundary and Lake Diefenbaker. The agency said Alberta began dumping water from reservoirs this past week to make room for the additional run-off. It expected lake levels at Lake Diefenbaker, a large reservoir northwest of Regina that's a popular recreation area, to rise over a metre this week as a result of the weather system. Heat levels in Ontario and Quebec led Environment Canada to remind people to stay hydrated by drinking water before they're thirsty, to watch for early signs of heat exhaustion and not overexert themselves. "Be careful; you know yourself," Pellerin said. "Make sure you're aware of what you're feeling and take breaks, Make sure you have a location where you can rest with the air conditioning." In Quebec, schools are being urged to stay vigilant with the rising temperatures. In a letter from the assistant deputy education minister, schools were encouraged to "put in place all the preventive measures you judge necessary to ensure everyone's security." "Depending on the situation, these measures could go all the way up to closing one or more schools for the day of June 23," said the message signed by Stephanie Vachon. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 22, 2025.
CBC
23-06-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Ontario, Quebec, large swathes of U.S. swelter under heat dome
Much of Ontario and southwestern Quebec will continue to bake in high temperatures on Monday and Tuesday as a heat dome lingers over the region. Environment Canada issued a heat warning for the area on Saturday, saying hot and humid conditions will likely continue until Wednesday. The dangerously high temperatures are expected to affect communities from southwestern Ontario and north to Sudbury and Timmins. In Quebec, the hottest temperatures are expected to be felt from Montreal to Shawinigan and north to Abitibi. Environment Canada meteorologist Julien Pellerin said he expects Ontario and Quebec to hit their peak daytime highs on Monday and Tuesday with temperatures rising above 30 C, and the humidex making it feel more like 40 to 45 C, depending on the region. "It won't last very long," he added. "By the end of Tuesday and Wednesday, we will have a transition in air mass all over Canada, especially over Quebec and Ontario." Heat levels in Ontario and Quebec led Environment Canada to remind people to stay hydrated by drinking water before they're thirsty, to watch for early signs of heat exhaustion and not overexert themselves. "Be careful; you know yourself," Pellerin said. "Make sure you're aware of what you're feeling and take breaks, Make sure you have a location where you can rest with the air conditioning." In Quebec, schools are being urged to stay vigilant with the rising temperatures. In a letter from the assistant deputy education minister, schools were encouraged to "put in place all the preventive measures you judge necessary to ensure everyone's security." "Depending on the situation, these measures could go all the way up to closing one or more schools for the day of June 23," said the message signed by Stephanie Vachon. Pellerin says scorching temperatures over the eastern part of the continent are causing below-normal temperatures in other regions, which have led to warnings of wet snow and heavy rain in the West. "If you have a heat dome on a sector, you can expect colder air in another sector, so that's what the Prairies are currently experiencing," Pellerin said on Sunday. On Saturday, Environment Canada warned that areas in British Columbia could face heavy showers and the possibility of wet snow. Heavy rainfall advisories that had been in effect in southern Alberta were all lifted by Sunday, but the region received significant precipitation. The Calgary Fire Department advised against boating and all other water activities on the Bow River due to higher-than-normal water flow, although the city said flooding over riverbanks was not expected. Saskatchewan's Water Security Agency warned the Alberta rain could also lead to increased flows on the South Saskatchewan River between the Alberta boundary and Lake Diefenbaker. The agency said Alberta began dumping water from reservoirs this past week to make room for the additional runoff. It expected lake levels at Lake Diefenbaker, a large reservoir northwest of Regina that's a popular recreation area, to rise over a metre this week as a result of the weather system. 'Everywhere east of the Rockies': U.S. meteorologist A heat dome occurs when a large area of high pressure in the upper atmosphere acts as a reservoir that traps heat and humidity, according to the U.S. National Weather Service. In the U.S., most of the northeastern quadrant of the country from Minnesota to Maine was under some type of heat advisory. So were parts of Arkansas, Tennessee, Louisiana and Mississippi, the National Weather Service said. Mark Gehring, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Sullivan, Wis., said this level of heat is not uncommon during the summer months in the U.S., although it usually takes hold in mid-July or early August. The most unusual facet of this heat wave is the sheer amount of territory sweltering under it, he said. "It's basically everywhere east of the Rockies," he said, referring to the Rocky Mountains. "That is unusual, to have this massive area of high dewpoints and heat." Forecasts in Philadelphia called for a heat index of 108 F (42.2 C) on Monday. The heat is expected to persist this week with the highest temperatures shifting eastward. New York City is expected to see highs around 95 F (35 C) on Monday and Tuesday, and Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency in 32 New York state counties due to the strong storms and forecast extreme heat.
Global News
22-06-2025
- Climate
- Global News
‘Heat dome' over Ontario and Quebec causing wild weather across much of Canada
Blame the heat dome hanging over Ontario and Quebec for some of the strange weather hitting other parts of the country. Environment Canada meteorologist Julien Pellerin says scorching temperatures over the eastern part of the continent are causing below-normal temperatures in other regions, which have led to warnings of wet snow and heavy rain in the West. 'If you have a heat dome on a sector, you can expect colder air in another sector, so that's what the Prairies are currently experiencing,' Pellerin said on Sunday. 'It's coming from the United States, a high-pressure system that doesn't move quickly … so it brings intense heat and moist air over southern Ontario and southern Quebec and it'll settle there for the next three days.' The dangerous temperature levels span from southwestern Ontario towards North Bay, Sudbury and Timmins, while in Quebec the highest temperatures are expected from Montreal to Shawinigan and north up to Abitibi. Story continues below advertisement Pellerin says he expects Ontario and Quebec to hit their peak daytime highs on Monday and Tuesday with temperatures rising above 30 C, and the humidex making it feel more like 40 to 45 degrees, depending on the region. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'It won't last very long,' he added. 'By the end of Tuesday and Wednesday, we will have a transition in air mass all over Canada, especially over Quebec and Ontario.' In the meantime, the effects of the heat dome are bringing surprises to other parts of the country. On Saturday, Environment Canada warned that areas in British Columbia could face heavy showers, and over some of the highway summits, the possibility of wet snow. Meanwhile, heavy rainfall advisories that had been in effect in southern Alberta were all lifted by Sunday, but the region received significant precipitation. City residents were being warned to stay off the Bow River. The Calgary Fire Department advised against boating and all other water activities on the Bow due to higher-than-normal water flow, although the city said flooding over riverbanks was not expected. 'We know that Calgarians love their rivers, yet we also know that when our waterways flow this high and fast, there's significant risk to anyone, regardless of your watercraft or skill level,' Calgary Fire Deputy Chief Pete Steenaerts said in a news release. Story continues below advertisement Saskatchewan's Water Security Agency warned the Alberta rain could also lead to increased flows on the South Saskatchewan River between the Alberta boundary and Lake Diefenbaker. The agency said Alberta began dumping water from reservoirs this past week to make room for the additional run-off. It expected lake levels at Lake Diefenbaker, a large reservoir northwest of Regina that's a popular recreation area, to rise over a metre this week as a result of the weather system. Heat levels in Ontario and Quebec led Environment Canada to remind people to stay hydrated by drinking water before they're thirsty, to watch for early signs of heat exhaustion and not overexert themselves. 'Be careful; you know yourself,' Pellerin said. 'Make sure you're aware of what you're feeling and take breaks, Make sure you have a location where you can rest with the air conditioning.' In Quebec, schools are being urged to stay vigilant with the rising temperatures. In a letter from the assistant deputy education minister, schools were encouraged to 'put in place all the preventative measures you judge necessary to ensure everyone's security.' 'Depending on the situation, these measures could go all the way up to closing one or more schools for the day of June 23,' said the message signed by Stephanie Vachon.
