Extreme Cold Updates from Quebec, Canada

[montrealboy]

During the next 48 hrs, I will be posting updated stories on the extreme cold in Quebec.

As of 8 AM EST, here are temperatures (these may be low temperatures) around Quebec:

CITY
DORVAL (Montreal) -18F -28C Wind chill -39F
MIRABEL -22F -30C Wind chill -38F
QUEBEC CITY -24F -31C Wind chill -51F
ST JOVITE -38F -39C Wind chill none

source:http://iwin.nws.noaa.gov/iwin/vt/hourly.html

[montrealboy]

http://www.hydroquebec.com/releases/index.html

Montréal, January 13, 2004

Hydro-Québec again asks for the population's cooperation

With a view to the extreme cold front that will be striking Québec over the coming days, Hydro-Québec asks the population to cut down on its consumption of electricity during peak hours on Wednesday January 14 from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.; on Thursday January 15 from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.; and on Friday January 16 from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.

Hydro-Québec wishes to remind customers that the most effective steps to take are the following:

• reduce heating by 2 degrees (Celsius) in occupied rooms;
• reduce lighting to a basic minimum;
• restrict the use of hot water;
• avoid using dishwashers, washing machines and dryers.

At 4:00 p.m. today (Jan 13), anticipated electrical energy demand was already considerably above the historical peak of 34,989 MW recorded on January 22, 2003. The forecast demand is as follows:


• Wednesday morning 35,900 MW (Mega Watts)
• Wednesday evening 36,500 MW
• Thursday morning 36,500 MW
• Thursday evening 37,300 MW
• Friday morning 36,700 MW

It is expected that on Wednesday temperatures will drop below 30 degrees Celsius and that the cold weather will be accompanied by 15 to 20 kph winds, while on Thursday, wind force will vary between 15 and 25 kph. It should be mentioned that over the past 60 years Quebec has only experienced three instances of such cold temperatures over two consecutive days.

Hydro-Québec has been working on the Micoua-Laurentides transmission line from the Manic-Outardes complex in order to enhance its reliability, but has not yet fully completed the work. This means that it will not be as running at its usual level of reliability. The extreme weather conditions expected over the next days and the increase in Québec electrical energy demand mean that the Corporation will be taking every possible precaution.

Thus Hydro-Québec will be making its own contribution by reducing the level of heating and lighting in all its Québec facilities and the Head Office logo will be shut off.

Hydro-Québec is sincerely grateful to the population for its valued cooperation and will keep the public informed of any new developments.

[montrealboy]

A news talk radio station in Montreal is talking about the extreme cold from 9 AM-10 AM EST on CJAD 800.

Here is the link:

http://www.cjad.com/

Click on: On Air Now:
The Tommy Schnurmacher Show
Listen online here!

[montrealboy]

As reported on CJAD, some power outages reported on the western tip of the Montreal Island (Hudson, Pincourt...) since 7 AM EST.

[JCT777]

Thanks for the update, montrealboy. Those are some frigid temps and wind chills!

[chadtm80]

Thanks for the Updates.. I dont know how in the heck you do it.. LOL

[isobar]

Are those near record lows for you, montrealboy? Or record low highs?

[stormraiser]

Brrr. I'm suffering here and it is 6ºF (wind chill -6ºF)

I think I want to go back home, across the river from Jeb and his heat bubble

[montrealboy]

http://weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/forecast/ ... yul&unit=i

Here are the temps in Farenheight during last 24 hrs in Montreal (the lowest temperature was -19F and the coldest wind chill was -40F this AM. Actually right now at 10 PM EST or 22:00 EST, it is not that bad outside because the winds have calmed down quite a bit, however the winds will intensify tomorrow as clipper system intensifies to our south and east and steepens the pressure gradient.

From Environment Canada:

14 Jan. 2004 22:00 EST Temp -12F no wind chill
14 Jan. 2004 21:00 EST Temp -12F no wind chill
14 Jan. 2004 20:00 EST Temp -12F wind chill at -30F
14 Jan. 2004 19:00 EST -12F -29F
14 Jan. 2004 18:00 EST -13F -31F
14 Jan. 2004 17:00 EST -12F -30F
14 Jan. 2004 16:00 EST -12F -32F
14 Jan. 2004 15:00 EST -11F -31F
14 Jan. 2004 14:00 EST -12F -34F
14 Jan. 2004 13:00 EST -13F -32F
14 Jan. 2004 12:00 EST -14F -30F
14 Jan. 2004 11:00 EST -16F -35F
14 Jan. 2004 10:00 EST -17F -40F
14 Jan. 2004 09:00 EST -18F -36F
14 Jan. 2004 08:00 EST -19F -39F
14 Jan. 2004 07:00 EST -18F -38F
14 Jan. 2004 06:00 EST -18F -39F
14 Jan. 2004 05:00 EST -17F -39F
14 Jan. 2004 04:00 EST -17F -36F
14 Jan. 2004 03:00 EST -17F -37F
14 Jan. 2004 02:00 EST -17F -37F
14 Jan. 2004 01:00 EST -16F -35F
14 Jan. 2004 00:00 EST -15F -35F
13 Jan. 2004 23:00 EST -14F -33F

[Anonymous]

Brrr. I'm suffering here and it is 6ºF (wind chill -6ºF)

I think I want to go back home, across the river from Jeb and his heat bubble

I will GLADLY trade places with ya, storm. See what it feels like to endure 70 degrees above zero in January; experience the searing feeling of disappointment when snow after snow narrowly misses you and the next day its 40 degrees above zero.

I'll gladly go over there and shovel five feet of severely blowing snow in 55 below zero wind chills and whiteout conditions for FREE!!!!!

That kind of experience is a PRIVILEGE!!!!!!!!


-SIBERIAN CROSS POLAR FLOW JEB!!!!!! BRING IT!!!!!!! NO MERCY!!!!!!

[montrealboy]

Are those near record lows for you, montrealboy? Or record low highs?

Sorry, I don't know yet. I think we were very close to a record low maximum, but I will wait to tomorrow before confirming this. I don't think that we will break a record low minimum as they are quite hard to beat.

[montrealboy]

http://www.hydroquebec.com/en/

Montréal, January 14, 2004

Electrical energy demand hits new historical peak

At 7:18 this morning, requirements for electrical energy hit a new high of 35,137 MW. This new peak was even higher than the 34,989 MW recorded on January 22, 2003 at 5:30 p.m. and exceeded the forecast demand of 35,900 MW.

The cooperation of the population helped bring the demand down. Additionally, the outside temperature was minus 28 degrees Celsius at peak time, higher than the expected 31 degrees Celsius, with a wind force of 17 kph.

It should be remembered that over the past 60 years such temperatures have been recorded only three times over two consecutive days. Consequently, we are looking at exceptionally rigorous climatic conditions.

With a view to the extreme cold front that will be striking Québec thru Friday January 16, 2004, Hydro-Québec will continue to request that the population cut down on its consumption of electricity during peak periods, that is to say between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

The most effective steps that the public can take are the following:

• reduce heating by 2 degrees in occupied rooms;
• reduce lighting to a basic minimum;
• restrict the use of hot water;
• avoid using dishwashers, washing machines and dryers.

For its part, Hydro-Québec has been making its own contribution by reducing heating and lighting to its lowest possible level in all its Québec facilities. Moreover, the Head Office logo has been shut off since yesterday evening.

Additionally, Hydro-Québec management has been in touch with the authorities in the major cities around Québec asking for their cooperation.

Hydro-Québec reiterates its thanks to the population for its valued cooperation and will keep it informed of any further developments.

[montrealboy]

Notice the steam coming off the river as water still warmer than air in Montreal.


from http://www.cbc.ca/stories/2004/01/14/cold040114


from http://www.cyberpresse.ca/actualites/article/1,63,0,012004,554396.shtml


from http://www.radiocanada.ca/url.asp?/nouvelles/Index/nouvelles/200401/14/005-FROIDHYDRO.shtml


from http://lcn.canoe.com/lcn/infos/national/archives/2004/01/20040114-184853.html

[isobar]

Incredible pics, mb! Thanks for posting.

Jeb - you crack me up!

[chadtm80]

Nice Pics!!!