Montreal Blog # 2

     Montreal is affected by mP, cP, mT and cA air masses.  The mP mass is from the Icelandic Low that flows in from the east, both the cP and cA come from north.  The warm mT moves up from the Gulf of Mexico.  The polar jet stream runs between the warm mT and cold cP, cA and mP air masses.

North American Map of Air Masses

Mid latitude cyclogenesis does occur in this region.  As the warm moist moves up and the colder air masses move down cold occluded form.  This type of occlusion is more common within the continental regions like Montreal.

Today's Temperature Map - This shows a ridge of high pressure reaching up in to the Edmonton area and a trough ( rosi wave) of cold air over the Montreal area.  The boundary between the warm and cold air at the trough is where cyclogenesis could potentially occur .

Cold Occluded Front

Montreal has a higher humidity due to the surrounding rivers .  Summers are generally hot and humid while winters a cold and snowy.  Ice storms do occur here also.  Snow cover lasts from early December to late March.  Overall nothing unique weather wise form the region.

References:
The Runner Scientist : http://therunningscientist.blogspot.com/2009/12/air-masses.html
The Weather Network: http://www.theweathernetwork.com/fourteenday/caqc0363/table?ref=tabs_14day_table
Martin, Bruce http://www.rossway.net/occludedfrnt.htm

Blog #1 Montreal

 

Average Monthly Temperatures

Montreal Canada
Quebec Province
Latitude 45.30 degrees North
Longitude 73.35 degrees West

                                                                              

                                                                                           Average Monthly Precipitation

                                                                                   
The city is built mostly on an island surrounded by the St. Lawrence River and the Ottawa River.  Both rivers converge at this point making Montreal an important port city.  The climate of the region is humid continental meaning the temperature varies but humidity is present. 

Map of Montreal

Overall the Bowen Ratio for Montreal near the North American average at around 0.74.  The continentality of Montreal is closer to the interior of North America and by looking at the temperature data the temperature changes are more than one would expect in a maritime region. 

GEEBIT Data
Standard Earth Albedo  .306    Temperature   -18.8 degrees C, -1.9 degrees F
Earth Albedo + .10                   Temperature   -28.5 degrees C. -19.9 degrees F
Earth Albedo - .10                    Temperature   -10.1 degrees C, 13.8 degrees F

Standard Earth Greenhouse  1.0  Temperature  15.0 degrees C, 58.9 degrees F
Greenhouse at 0.9                        Temperature  12.1 degrees C, 53.8 degrees F
Greenhouse at 1.1                        Temperature  17.7 degrees C, 63.9 degrees F

Montreal with a high albedo and/or a lower greenhouse value would at that latitude be a much colder region.  Potentially freezing the rivers longer having negative effects on the port and regional shipping.  Conversely with less albedo and higher greenhouse the port could be open longer and add to the cities ability to transport goods.  However warmer conditions could lead to more flooding and severe weather.

References
 The Weather Channel: http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USMO0602

Maps of the World: http://www.mapsofworld.com/canada/montreal-city-map.html