Quebec residents should brace for another round of winter weather this weekend, as Environment Canada has issued warnings about significant snowfall expected to hit various parts of the province. A low-pressure system is set to blanket the region, bringing with it 10 to 15 centimeters of snow starting Friday evening.
The forecast indicates the snow will begin accumulating rapidly, particularly affecting travel conditions during the night between Friday and Saturday. "Un système dépressionnaire apportera de 10 à 15 cm de neige samedi de l'Outaouais jusqu'à la Basse-Côte-Nord," Environment Canada stated on their X platform, formally known as Twitter.
For the southwestern areas, including Montreal, snowfall could reach up to 10 centimeters overnight with temperatures hovering around -5 degrees Celsius and wind gusts hitting 50 km/h. The weather service has highlighted the potential for poor driving conditions as the accumulation could complicate travel, especially on Friday night and Saturday morning.
Further inland, central Quebec will see 5 to 10 centimeters of snow, accompanied by strong winds reaching up to 60 km/h. Similar winter conditions are predicted for Eastern Quebec with temperatures dropping even lower, dipping to -9 degrees, and gusty winds complicate matters even more.
The alert has led Environment Canada to issue snow warnings for regions including Témiscamingue, Outaouais, Mont-Laurier, Hautes-Laurentides, Haute-Mauricie, and the Laurentides Wildlife Reserve, where near 15 centimeters of snow could fall from Friday night to Saturday morning. "Le taux de chute de neige pourrait être important, surtout tôt samedi matin. La neige s'accumulera rapidement et la visibilité sera fortement réduite," warned Environment Canada.
Motorists along the St. Lawrence Valley, including Greater Montreal, the Basses-Laurentides, Mauricie, and Quebec City, are advised to exercise caution as winter road conditions are expected. Heavy snow could obscure visibility, so residents should prepare for difficult travel times on Saturday morning.
Looking eastward, regions like Bas-Saint-Laurent, Gaspésie, and the Côte-Nord will endure even heavier snowfall. Accumulations exceeding 15 centimeters are predicted from Saturday to Sunday morning for these areas. March's onset is thereby marking itself with snowfall, reinforcing the notion among meteorologists and residents alike—winter is not quite done with Quebec yet.
Despite these challenging conditions, meteorologists are keeping hopeful for clearer skies come Sunday, but temperatures will remain low, with highs barely reaching -12 degrees Celsius. Nevertheless, the blanket of snow is set to linger, especially in the eastern parts of the province, where winter seems determined to prove its longevity.
So, Quebecers, it’s time to pull out the shovels, snowblowers, and brooms to clear your driveways and sidewalks. This weekend's weather forecast is not just about another snowfall but serves as a reminder of the stubborn presence of winter as it firmly holds its ground well past its expected goodbye. So, whether you are skiing, shoveling, or simply staying indoors, prepare accordingly for what nature has planned.