Montreal Is Under A Rainfall Warning & Wind Is Gusting Up To 70 km/h

• Environment Canada has issued a rainfall warning for Montreal as a potentially violent storm moves in.
• Winds are gusting up to 70 km/h.
• There is also a chance of snow in the evening.
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We reported yesterday that Montreal was in for a potentially violent storm as strong winds and freezing rain were expected to rip through much of Southern Quebec. The special weather statement by Environment Canada has now been updated to a rainfall warning, as the threat of freezing rain has subsided but the amount of expected rain has definitely not. In fact, Environment Canada is now warning that Montreal can expect to see up to 40 mm of rain today thanks to this current storm.

Plus, as we also noted yesterday, "the combination of rain and mild temperatures may accelerate the melt of the snow cover."

This means that "localized flooding in low-lying areas is possible," as melting snow and rain combine to create increased amounts of groundwater. 

North of Montreal, in Lachute, Saint-Jérôme, Lanaudière, and the Laurentians, the freezing rain warning still stands, along with a rainfall warning 

To the northeast, in regions like Quebec, Charlevoix, and Saguenay, a winter storm warning is in place as up to 35 cm of snow is expected.

This will be accompanied by "widespread blowing snow and strong to high winds," which has Environment Canada suggesting that people in these areas "consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve."

The rainfall warning was updated at 8 a.m. this morning and covers the entirety of Metro Montreal, including Châteauguay, La Prairie, Laval, Longueuil, Varennes, and the whole Island of Montreal.

Areas in red above are currently under a weather warning, while areas in grey have been issued a special weather statement.

To see all of the public weather alerts issued by Environment Canada for Southern Quebec today, head to their website here.

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Below you can see the weekend forecast for Montreal, which promises a pretty stellar few days, once this huge rainstorm passes.

In addition to the rain, which will be heavy at times, Montreal's in for winds gusting up to 70 km/h — so leave your umbrella at home.

[rebelmouse-image 26886225 photo_credit="Environment Canada" expand=1 original_size="644x505"] Environment Canada

And it looks like we might have to survive some flurries this evening if precipitation continues as temperatures drop in the evening. 

Environment Canada notes there is a 30% chance that the showers will change to flurries this evening, and the wind will continue gusting up to 60 km/h.

According to Montreal Weather Records, Montreal has already set a record today, with a wind gust of 81 km/h.

Luckily, this bad weather has coincided with most people opting to stay home anyway, so most of us will likely just experience it through our living room windows.

But if you do have to go out try to stay dry out there, Montreal!