Montreal under severe thunderstorm watch

Montreal shattered a 1982 heat record Wednesday, with temperatures feeling near 40 C, as forecasters warn of continued heat and possible thunderstorms.

Montrealers are trading in their sun hats for rain gear, as a severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for the area on Thursday.

“Conditions are favourable for the development of dangerous thunderstorms capable of producing strong wind gusts, large hail and heavy downpours,” said Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). “There is a risk of local flash flooding. Nautical activities may be hazardous due to sudden, severe wind gusts over bodies of water.”

The agency warns that some areas may experience power outages.

“When thunder roars, go indoors,” ECCC states. “Lightning kills and injures Canadians every year. Strong wind gusts can damage trees, buildings and overturn vehicles.”

This comes as Wednesday brought heat and humidity to southwestern Quebec, with Montreal breaking the previous record high of 32.3 degrees Celsius set in 1982.

Temperatures climbed to 33 degrees Celsius in the city, but felt closer to 40 at times with the humidex.

Despite the rain, the heat is expected to continue on Thursday, with a daytime high of 29 degrees Celsius, though it could feel more like 40 with the humidity.

Environment and Climate Change Canada says the heat warning will most likely stay until Friday.

By Thursday afternoon, the storm is expected to bring about 10 mm of rain to the area.

By contrast, Sunday’s powerful storm saw 57.5 mm of rain fall at the Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport in a single hour.

Sunday’s total rainfall was 81 mm, breaking the previous record of 79.2 mm set on that day last year, when the remnants of Hurricane Beryl swept through Montreal.