Many residents in Montreal and nearby areas woke up to darkness and chilly temperatures on Monday morning due to a severe weather event. The combination of freezing rain and strong winds has left thousands without electricity, creating a challenging situation across southern Quebec.
According to Environment Canada, the freezing rain and ice pellets are expected to persist throughout the day, with the Montreal region forecasted to receive 5 to 15 millimeters of ice buildup. Despite temperatures hovering around plus 1 degree Celsius, the wind chill factor has made it feel much colder, nearing minus 13 degrees Celsius earlier in the day. As the day progresses, the freezing rain is predicted to change over to a mix of snow and rain.
Reports indicate that power outages were widespread, with over 8,000 addresses impacted by the loss of electricity. In Montreal alone, 2,357 customers were without power, while the Montérégie region reported 3,793 outages and the Laurentians had 45 customers affected.
The situation may worsen as winds are expected to strengthen, with speeds forecasted to reach 60 km/h and gusts up to 90 km/h in Montreal later in the day. This poses a risk of further increasing the number of outages, putting additional strain on affected residents and authorities.
