A major freezing rain storm is hitting the Montreal area Wednesday, bringing dangerous conditions, widespread closures and the potential for significant ice accumulation across southern Quebec.
Environment officials warn the system could bring 20 to 30 millimetres of freezing rain, with the event lasting up to 24 hours from Wednesday into Thursday morning. The storm is expected to impact Greater Montreal, Montérégie, Outaouais, the Laurentians, Lanaudière, Mauricie, Centre-du-Québec and the Quebec City region.
Authorities say the heavy ice buildup could paralyze some services, cause transportation disruptions and lead to prolonged power outages as ice accumulates on trees and power lines. Roads and walkways are expected to become extremely slippery, and residents are being advised to avoid non-essential travel.
Freezing rain is falling across the Montreal region Wednesday with northeast winds of 30 km/h gusting to 50 and temperatures holding near minus –1 Celsius, with a wind chill near minus–9 C. The freezing rain is expected to change to rain this evening, while winds shift and strengthen overnight. Gusts could reach 80 km/h before Thursday morning as temperatures climb to about 5 C.
The unsettled weather will continue Thursday as the system moves out. Skies will remain cloudy with a 40 per cent chance of morning flurries, while strong west winds early in the day will gradually weaken. Temperatures are expected to fall to minus–2 C by the afternoon, with wind chills near minus–9 C.
The wintry pattern will persist through the rest of the week and into the weekend. Increasing cloudiness Friday will bring a high near 1 C before snow develops Friday night. More snow is expected Saturday with a high around 2 C, followed by clearing skies and a low near minus–7 C overnight.
Additional snow is possible Sunday with a high near minus– 1 C, while rain moves in Monday with temperatures climbing to 7 C before colder air returns Monday night. By Tuesday, conditions are expected to improve slightly with a mix of sun and cloud and a high near minus–4 C.
Officials say conditions are expected to remain cold in the days following the storm, which could slow the return to normal services as ice buildup lingers across the region.
The following school boards, school service centres and schools confirmed they will be closed:
The following universities and CEGEPs confirmed they will be closed on Wednesday:
Concordia University (all classes cancelled; online classes to resume as usual)Dawson CollegeJohn Abbott CollegeMcGill University (all classes/exams cancelled at downtown, Macdonald, and Outaouais campuses; some classes moved online)Marianopolis CollegeVanier CollegeCEGEP d’AhuntsicCEGEP André-LaurendeauCEGEP de Bois-de-BoulogneCollège CharlemagneCEGEP Gérald-GodinHEC Montréal (in-person classes cancelled; some classes to resume online)Polytechnique MontréalCEGEP RosemontUniversité de Montréal (in-person classes/exams cancelled)CEGEP du Vieux Montréal
The following daycares and community centres confirmed they will be closed:
Several dozen flights that were scheduled to depart or arrive in the morning at Montreal-Trudeau airport were cancelled or delayed.
D’importantes précipitations de pluie verglaçante sont attendues le mercredi 11 mars. Celles-ci pourraient perturber l’horaire des vols et rendre les routes difficiles. Avant de vous rendre à YUL, vérifiez l’état de votre vol et prévoyez plus de temps pour vos déplacements. pic.twitter.com/tBbUHJeH5i
Officials say conditions are expected to remain cold in the days following the storm, which could slow the return to normal services as ice buildup lingers across the region.
