A hot and stormy summer ahead for Montreal
MONTREAL, Saturday, May 31, 2025, local time 10:00 AM – After a disappointing spring, with a gloomy and unusually sunless May, all eyes now turn to summer, which is shaping up to bring extreme heat, heavy rainfall, and intense weather patterns across the province of Quebec.
According to the latest reports from The Weather Network, Montreal is expected to face a very humid summer, with elevated temperatures especially during nighttime, potentially leading to oppressively warm tropical nights. The city could experience its first heat wave before Canada Day, marking the beginning of a highly charged atmospheric season.
The impact of the North American heat dome
A heat dome centred over central North America is forecasted to create a volatile mix of weather conditions: uncomfortable humidity, frequent thunderstorms, and a serious risk of violent weather including hailstorms, damaging winds, and possible tornadoes. Southern and eastern Quebec are expected to see above-normal precipitation, with the added threat of tropical remnants—the moisture from one or two tropical systems bringing intense rainfall to parts of the province.
Nighttime temperatures staying unusually high
Persistent humidity will keep evening temperatures higher than average, preventing the usual nighttime cooling and fueling strong thunderstorms, with torrential downpours that could trigger flash flooding in some areas. Montreal’s average temperature in July typically sits around 21°C (70°F), with daytime highs reaching 26°C (79°F). Normally, nighttime lows drop to about 16°C (61°F), but this summer, the added moisture could make evenings feel significantly warmer and muggy.
Air quality risks and distant wildfire smoke
Residents will need to pay close attention to air quality, which could deteriorate due to hazy, smoky skies carried from wildfires burning far from the city. This could intensify the heat island effect across Montreal, creating uncomfortable and potentially hazardous conditions, particularly for those sensitive to pollution.
Relief with occasional cold fronts
From time to time, incoming cold fronts may provide temporary cool spells, though short-lived, in what is shaping up to be one of the stickiest and most turbulent summers in recent memory.
