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Montreal Gazette
a day ago
- Climate
- Montreal Gazette
Hanes: Brace yourselves for Thursday — destructive weather is now the norm
By It wasn't a typhoon. It was just a regular old thunderstorm. But when it barrelled through Montreal on Sunday after days of a heat wave, a record amount of rainfall poured from the skies, flooding basements and inundating underpasses. Homeowners from Ahuntsic-Cartierville to St-Léonard found their belongings floating. An octogenarian had to be rescued from his nearly submerged vehicle by Montreal police. And it could happen all over again on Thursday, weather forecasters have warned. We've now reached the point where climate change has made what was once extraordinary ordinary. Severe weather isn't a once-a-decade or even once-a-year occurrence anymore. During our hot, humid summers, it has practically become a weekly phenomenon. Last August, hurricane Debby, which had been downgraded to a post-tropical storm by the time it arrived, doused Montreal with up to 150 millimetres of rain in some parts of the region — a wet month's worth in a single day. It caused a record $2.5 billion in damages, according to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, surpassing the 1998 ice storm as Quebec's costliest event. Montreal had a prelude to Debby's destruction last July, when the remnants of tropical storm Beryl drenched us with up to 100 millimetres of rain in some places. Sunday's torrential rain brought 80 millimetres to Trudeau airport in less than an hour. Yet the fallout from this nameless thunderstorm was much the same. On a St-Léonard street where water poured down sloping driveways, filling subterranean garages and basements, it's the second or even third year in a row residents have experienced this kind of flooding. Some unlucky folks had just finished renovations to recover from the previous deluge, only to now have to start all over again. The mental and financial toll of dealing with this kind of damage can't be overestimated. Many will be out tens of thousands of dollars for work not covered by insurance. Premiums will rise. Their home values may sink due to the repeated flooding, which they would have to report on their seller's declaration. Plus there's the trauma of having your possessions ruined, your home — your sanctuary — made inhospitable. More and more people are having to go through this rigmarole once. However, some are having to endure it multiple times. The city is advising homeowners to protect their property. Some are installing sump pumps, ceramic tile or epoxy flooring that can be more easily cleaned up after water infiltration. But it costs money. Tenants may have no choice in the matter if their landlords don't act. And those living in basement apartments can end up losing everything. There's been talk of outlawing basement apartments or 'garden suites,' as partially below-grade condos are often called, due to the risk of water damage. But the housing crisis makes it impossible to scrap these units altogether. The borough of St-Laurent has restricted the use of some basements for certain purposes in response to flooding. And there are new regulations for downward sloping driveways to avoid them funnelling rainwater into homes. There's only so much residents can do to avoid infiltration of their dwellings. During last summer's storms, sewers backing up into people's homes was a primary cause of many flooded basements. Despite hundreds of millions being invested in water infrastructure, deferred maintenance in decades past has set the city behind. Now it's hard to keep up with the repair backlog. And each major weather event weakens aging water mains, which can lead to breakages — or even geysers. Now sponge parks and sponge streets that use naturalistic design to absorb runoff are all the rage. But it takes time — and money — to transform all the asphalt and concrete of the cityscape to mitigate the impact of climate change. And it's not just water infrastructure that is stressed by heavy rainfall. Highways, parking lots and underpasses are also under strain. Highway 40 came to a standstill in the West Island on Sunday because of pooling water. Last summer, storms resulted in the temporary closure of the Île-aux-Tourtes Bridge and Highway 13. The bottom line is we should expect more of the same — and more often. Destructive thunderstorms and diluvial rains are now the norm rather the exception. Brace yourselves: The same conditions that preceded Sunday's deluge — a heat wave followed by a cold front — are brewing again for Thursday. The skies are expected to open. Let's just hope it's not a disaster déjà vu.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
‘Not Again': For Third Year In A Row, Flash Floods Slam Vermont On Same Date
For Vermonters, July 10 is starting to feel cursed. For the third straight year, flash floods ripped through parts of Vermont on that exact date — this time, damaging homes and stranding residents in the small town of Sutton after up to 5 inches of rain fell in just a few hours Thursday. The downpour overwhelmed local waterways, causing a nearby brook to burst its banks and cut off access to more than a dozen residences. Swift-water rescue teams were called in from nearby communities to assist evacuations, including two homes where people needed to be pulled to safety. And while this year's storm wasn't as widespread or deadly as previous years, the emotional toll was heavy. (MORE: Flowing Water Can Do As Much Damage As A Tornado) "It wasn't like last time, it was worse," Sutton resident Michelle Tanner told the Associated Press. "Oh my god it was like 'not again'...We don't know if the house will make it again." Her daughter, Tanika Allard, said she felt helpless. "I wanted to cry. It's like the third year they've almost lost everything." (MORE: Texas River Rises 30 Feet In One Hour, Again) Just days earlier, Vermont Gov. Phil Scott had warned residents of the mounting toll these storms are taking: 'In the last two years, more than 150 cities, towns, and villages across Vermont felt the impacts of flooding, which caused over a billion dollars in damage.' He noted that storms in July 2023 and 2024 also struck on the same dates, adding an eerie twist to an already devastating pattern. Last year, flash flooding linked to the remnants of Hurricane Beryl killed two people and swept away an apartment building in central Vermont. The year before, Vermont experienced rainfall rates of 3 to 4 inches per hour, also with deadly consequences. (MORE: What To Do Before, During And After A Flood) Why does it keep happening this time of year? July is the second-rainiest month for Burlington, just after June, according to meteorologist Sara Tonks. "July is when warm, humid air is most abundant in northern parts of the U.S., and the jet stream slowing down during this time of year helps allow storms to stall over one location," adds senior meteorologist Chris Dolce. Meteorologist and climate expert Jennifer Gray also points out that Vermont's mountainous terrain makes the region more vulnerable to flash flooding when heavy rain hits. As towns like Sutton begin yet another round of cleanup and rebuilding, one thing is clear: this is no longer a once-in-a-century event. It's starting to become a heartbreaking new normal. lead editor Jenn Jordan explores how weather and climate weave through our daily lives, shape our routines and leave lasting impacts on our communities.
Montreal Gazette
3 days ago
- Climate
- Montreal Gazette
Montreal weather: Out of the frying pan, into the solar oven
Environment Canada has issued special air quality statement for Montreal on Tuesday as well as a heat warning for Tuesday and Wednesday. The forecast highs are 31 to 33 Celsius with humidex values approaching 40. Nights will also be warm, with lows from 20 to 23. The warning extends to Outaouais, Lachute, Lanaudière, Montérégie and Drummondville. The federal weather agency says smoke from the Canadian Prairies is leading to 'poor air quality and reduced visibility' in the city, but conditions are expected to improve later Tuesday. 'As smoke levels increase, health risks increase. Limit time outdoors. Consider reducing or rescheduling outdoor sports, activities and events,' the notice reads It also recommends checking in on older adults, those living alone and other at-risk people multiple times a day. Montrealers should also be on the lookout for early signs of heat exhaustion, including headache, nausea, dizziness, thirst, intense fatigue and dark urine. Another cold front is expected to sweep through on Thursday, which could bring similar conditions to Sunday afternoon, when a storm system caused record-breaking rainfall and widespread flooding to the greater Montreal area. 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.
Montreal Gazette
3 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.
Time Out
3 days ago
- Climate
- Time Out
Montreal has broken an all-time daily rainfall record with over 150 mm of rain
Quebec has been hit by heavy downpours caused by severe thunderstorms, with more than 150 millimetres of rain per hour falling in the hardest-hit areas. In less than an hour, Montréal-Trudeau Airport recorded 57.5 mm of rain. At the peak of the storm, Hydro-Québec reported that nearly 100,000 customers were without electricity across the province. Some Montreal neighbourhoods recorded up to 80 mm of rain in a short period leading to flash flooding in several areas. It was a record-breaking amount of precipitation for Montreal during the month of July. The previous record for July 10, 2024, was when the remnants of Beryl swept through the province, recording 79.2 mm in one day. What was the rainiest day in Montreal history? August 9, 2024, became the rainiest day in Montreal's history, with 145 mm (5.7 inches) of rainfall as Hurricane Debby swept through the city. Is there a tornado warning in Montreal today? There are currently no alerts in effect for the Montreal area, however there is a heat warning in effect for Tuesday and Wednesday. High temperatures between 31 and 33 degrees celsius, combined with elevated humidity, will push humidex values close to 40. Nights will also remain warm, with lows ranging from 20 to 23 degrees celsius.
