From February 13 to February 17, Quebec experienced two documented snowstorms, resulting in one of the heaviest snowfalls the province has seen for over 80 years. The city of Montreal reported receiving 74 centimeters (cm) of snow, not far off from the total accumulation of 80 cm over the period, marking the event as historically significant.
According to Mayor Valérie Plante, "Montreal has received 74 cm of snow since last Thursday. It’s a historic situation." This surge of snow led to traffic chaos, with major roadways become impassable due to the accumulation and visibility challenges caused by snowdrifts and strong winds.
Specifically, Gaspésie was particularly hard-hit, registering 69 cm of snowfall as of February 17. The snowstorms prompted officials to issue warnings about hazardous driving conditions, leading to the closure of numerous roads, including significant stretches of Route 132.
"The operations for snow removal may last up to 8 days due to the extreme conditions," local municipal authorities advised the public. This lengthy effort has created additional challenges, including power outages affecting approximately 25,000 residents across the metropolitan area.
Almost 550 schools across the province were shut down, especially heavy closures noted within the Montérégie and Gaspésie regions. The Centre de services scolaire Marie-Victorin stated, "En raison des conditions météorologiques, des trottoirs non déblayés rendant les déplacements dangereux pour les enfants... les écoles et les centres de formation [...] seront fermés," indicating the significant disruptions to education and child safety.
Despite these alarming consequences, meteorologists, like Patrick de Bellefeuille from MétéoMédia, point out the paradox of climate change: even with predictions of warmer winters, Quebec remains susceptible to severe snowstorms. "The increase of extreme weather events is caused by climate change: the ordinary normality fades away," he noted, explaining how warmer air can hold onto more moisture, contributing to heavier snowfalls during winter storms.
On Tuesday, February 21, weather conditions remained perilous, with the reality of extensive road closures still hampering transportation across regions. The closure of Autoroute 85 and other connecting routes highlighted the bleak situation as snow removal crews struggled to restore accessibility.
Transport Quebec continued to monitor the roads, informing residents about the disruptions. "Conditions routières difficiles (vents forts, poudrerie, visibilité réduite et routes fermées)," officials commented, marking the extent of the challenges facing everyday commuters.
The commuting experience isn't just inconvenient; it's downright perilous. Memories of past tragedies, like the 2017 incident where two men lost their lives trapped inside their snow-locked vehicle, loomed as authorities appealed for vigilance and prudence.
Adding to the mix were cancellations and delays affecting air travel as approximately 50% of flights at the Montreal airport were grounded due to the winter storm conditions, compounding frustration for travelers attempting to navigate their plans amid the weather chaos.
The situation reportedly led to numerous residents seeking shelter due to being trapped on the roadways. Where possible, government-assisted shelters provided refuge for people unable to make it home.
Despite the heavy challenges, public services continued to encourage residents to remain alert and comply with safety guidelines shared through all available channels. "Be cautious and follow local directives," authorities cautioned.
Looking beyond immediate concerns, experts have predicted, with some ambiguity, about whether the frequency of such extreme winter events will increase or decrease as climate change continues to shape broader weather patterns. Meanwhile, Montreal citizens are bracing themselves for the expected return to seasonal temperature norms following several days of exposure to the heavy chill and excessive snow.
Nevertheless, residents remain urged to stay safe and to confine unnecessary travel as city crews tackle what might be described as one of the most monumental snow-removal undertakings of the last century.