Montreal Weather Update: Bracing for Winter Storm
Montreal is bracing for a significant winter storm today with freezing rain, strong winds, and plummeting temperatures prompting two weather alerts in the region.
Throughout the day, Montreal can expect a prolonged period of freezing rain and ice pellets, with a forecast of 5 to 15 millimetres of ice accumulation. The morning will be especially risky as freezing rain transitions to a mix of snow and rain later in the day. While temperatures hover around plus 1 degree Celsius, the wind chill could make it feel as cold as minus 13 degrees Celsius.
As the day progresses, winds will pick up in intensity, shifting from northeasterly in the morning to southwest by late afternoon, with speeds reaching 60 km/h and gusts up to 90 km/h in Montreal.
Environment Canada has cautioned that the combination of ice buildup and strong winds may result in falling branches, hazardous road conditions, and potential power outages, particularly during the evening rush hour.
Tonight, the skies will stay mostly overcast with a 60 per cent chance of flurries. Temperatures are set to sharply drop to minus 12 degrees Celsius, with wind chills plummeting from minus 9 degrees Celsius in the evening to minus 23 degrees Celsius overnight, as strong winds persist.
Tuesday is not expected to bring much relief, with mainly cloudy skies and lingering flurries throughout the day. Temperatures will struggle to reach minus 10 degrees Celsius, while brisk west winds will maintain the wind chill near minus 23 degrees Celsius. Tuesday night will continue with cloudy conditions and flurries, with a low of minus 13 degrees Celsius.
Looking ahead, midweek will bring colder but calmer weather conditions. Wednesday is anticipated to have a mix of sun and clouds with a daytime high of minus 10 degrees Celsius, followed by a cloudy night as temperatures drop to minus 18 degrees Celsius. New Year’s Day will remain cold but brighter, with a mix of sun and clouds and a high of minus 13 degrees Celsius, before clearing skies overnight bring temperatures down to minus 21 degrees Celsius.
Friday is predicted to be sunny yet extremely cold, with a high of minus 12 degrees Celsius, while clouds return at night and temperatures dip to minus 15 degrees Celsius. The weekend remains unsettled, with a mix of sun and clouds on Saturday and a high of minus 11 degrees Celsius, followed by a cloudy night with a 60 per cent chance of flurries and a low of minus 12 degrees Celsius. Sunday will stay cloudy with possible flurries and a slightly milder high of minus 8 degrees Celsius.
Montreal residents are advised to avoid unnecessary travel, allocate extra time for commutes, and remain vigilant for falling ice and branches as the winter storm unfolds.
Keyphrase: Montreal winter storm
