Severe Weather Alert: High Winds and Snow Squalls Sweep Through Southern Quebec
Environment Canada has issued severe weather alerts, including wind and snow squall warnings, for most regions of Southern Quebec as of January 27, 2025. The federal agency cautioned residents of the risks posed by these conditions, which include extremely cold alerts for northern areas of the province. This extreme weather is attributed to the approach of a powerful cold front moving southeast from the southern shores of James Bay.
According to Michelle Fleury, a meteorologist with Environment Canada, the cold front is expected to bring heavy snow squalls capable of reducing visibility to nearly zero. Fleury predicted the winds would intensify throughout the afternoon, reaching gusts of up to 90 kilometers per hour, with warnings issued for major areas such as Montreal, the Laurentians, and the South Shore.
"Residents should be cautious as strong winds can cause tree branches to break and lead to localized power outages," Fleury warned. Meanwhile, significant snowfall is anticipated across all of Southern Quebec, affecting travel and day-to-day activities. The Ontario regions nearby are also bracing for similar wind and snow warnings as these weather patterns roll through.
Although temperatures across the province are expected to hover around -1°C, the wind chill from the high winds will make it feel much colder. Parts of Western Quebec, such as Abitibi-Témiscamingue, could see temperatures drop to well below -15°C during this weather event.
Environment Canada also mentioned other weather warnings, highlighting potential dangerous travel conditions due to sudden changes as snow squalls sweep through. These patterns could make visibility severely limited, especially with gusts pushing up to 110 kilometers per hour.
This is not the first bout of severe weather this winter for Quebec, and residents are being reminded to stay aware of changing conditions throughout the day. After experiencing snowfall during the last weekend, the forecast indicates continued disturbances with possible additional system formations projected for later this week.
With the forecast anticipating total accumulations of 10 to 20 cm of snow across the Quebec City region, Montreal might only see minor accumulation of around 2 to 5 cm. Uniquely, the Laurentians are expected to bear the brunt of the snow, with predictions of up to 30 cm of snowfall by morning.
For regions like Lanaudière, the Grand Montreal area, and parts of the northern Quebec, Environment Canada warns of wind gusts potentially reaching up to 100 km/h. This poses risks, particularly during rush hour as conditions could become treacherous quick, with snowfall expected to ramp up during the evening, alongside severe winds creating whiteout conditions.
Fleury also reported these intense weather conditions could lead to power outages across the major urban centers and more rural areas. "Power outages are likely due to the strong winds and the accumulation of heavy snow, particularly as we approach evening when traffic will be at its peak," she advised.
Motorists are strongly urged to avoid unnecessary travel during the snow squalls, as the combination of snow and wind creates hazardous driving conditions. It's advised to keep emergency kits equipped with essentials and to monitor updates from trusted weather sources.
This severe weather event coincides with several other winter weather patterns sweeping across Canada, remnants of which have partnered with each system to bring about dramatic changes and intense snowfall across the region.
While Quebec has previously dealt with severe winter conditions, the potential for this situation to escalate raises concerns among officials for both public safety and infrastructure. Specific caution should be taken when making travel decisions this evening as conditions are expected to worsen.
Overall, the weather outlook indicates significant impacts on daily life as Southern Quebec braces for yet another round of winter storms, coupled with strong winds and snow squalls disrupting usual routines.