Climate Experts Warn of Drastic Winter Changes in Quebec
A recent study by Ouranos, a consortium of climate professionals, projects a significant rise in winter temperatures in Quebec by the end of the century. The average temperature increase is estimated to be 6.6 degrees Celsius, with more pronounced warming in northern Quebec due to the Arctic amplification effect.
The Paris Agreement, aimed at limiting global temperature rise, may be increasingly unlikely to achieve its goals as experts predict a global warming scenario of 3.5 to four degrees Celsius by the end of the century. In this probable scenario, Quebec could experience temperature increases ranging from five to nine degrees Celsius.
This shift in temperatures will lead to a decrease in snow cover duration by 16 to 25 days across the province, with snow cover starting later and ending earlier. The frost-free season could also lengthen by 29 days, altering the traditional winter experience for many residents.
The changing climate will result in winters resembling those of warmer cities like Montreal and Toronto, with implications for freeze-thaw cycles that could impact infrastructure integrity. The increase in liquid precipitation during winter, combined with more frequent freeze-thaw cycles, poses risks to roads and other structures.
To address these challenges, the Expert Group on Adaptation to Climate Change has submitted 20 recommendations to the Quebec government, focusing on measures such as protecting natural environments, promoting ecosystem connectivity, and updating construction regulations promptly.
