A major winter system will strike Quebec starting Tuesday, bringing widespread freezing rain in the south and heavy snow in northern areas that could disrupt travel and services. Tuesday at 6: 00 p. m. ET Environnement Canada and meteo media meteorologists flagged the episode as a mixed-precipitation event that matters now for commuters and municipalities.
Meteo Media Highlights 20 to 30 millimeters of Freezing Rain for Grand Montréal
Meteo media forecasters noted a specific threat of significant ice accumulation for Grand Montréal and surrounding regions, with an accumulation total of 20 to 30 millimeters of freezing rain cited for the Grand Montréal area, Montérégie, Outaouais, the Laurentides, Lanaudière, the Mauricie, Centre-du-Québec and the Capitale-Nationale. That accumulation could last up to 24 hours and has the potential to immobilize services across those sectors.
Environnement Canada and Raja Rapaic Outline South-North Split in Precipitation
Environnement Canada forecasts that the first precipitation will begin Tuesday during the day as rain before changing to freezing rain in many southern regions, meteorologist Raja Rapaic said, with “pas mal de verglas” expected as early as Wednesday in Grand Montréal, Outaouais, the Laurentides, the Mauricie, the Québec region and the Beauce. In those southern zones, precipitation is expected to transition to snow during the night from Wednesday to Thursday.
Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, Rimouski and Gaspésie Face Heavy Snow and Wind-Driven Poudrerie
While the south contends with ice, Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, Rimouski and the Gaspésie are forecast to receive substantial snowfall beginning Wednesday, with wind on Wednesday and Thursday likely to produce poudrerie and difficult driving conditions in eastern and northern parts of the province. Snowfall is expected to continue from Thursday into Friday as temperatures begin to fall gradually, a cooling that could prolong winter driving hazards across several sectors.
Regions that see freezing rain are expected to later see a changeover to snow overnight Wednesday into Thursday, extending wintry conditions into the end of the week. In particular, the combination of 20 to 30 millimeters of freezing rain in some southern sectors and strong winds in the east and north highlights the dual threat of ice accumulation and blowing snow.
For residents planning travel or outdoor work, the mixed-precipitation nature of this system means conditions can change rapidly over short distances — from rain to sleet to glaze ice and then to snow — depending on the trajectory of the low-pressure center now being tracked by forecasters. Environnement Canada and meteo media emphasize preparedness in communities identified as at risk.
More detailed forecasts and possible special weather statements are expected from Environnement Canada Wednesday at 10: 00 a. m. ET.
