Southern Quebec: snow is already on the way

According to the average

Snow in October is far from exceptional in Quebec. On average, all regions of the province receive at least a few flakes before the start of November. Val-d’Or and Saguenay are usually the first on the winter hunting list. These two cities see their first snowflakes on average on October 8 and 10, respectively. Sept-Îles and Gaspé can expect snowflakes on October 19, one day before Quebec. Rimouski follows with October 22 as the average date. For Gatineau the normal date is the 24th, Montreal the 27th and finally Sherbrooke the 29th October.

Cold air supply

But to have snowflakes this early, all the conditions must be met. And three factors will push in this direction over the coming days. First of all, a descent of cold air from the northwest of Hudson Bay will cause temperatures to drop appreciably. We are talking about 3° to 5° below seasonal norms.

Double menace

Then, not one, but two low pressure systems will enter the province. The first will arrive from the west late Friday. A combination that could create flakes, or even light accumulations of snow. Abitibi, Jamésie, and a little later Saguenay would be the regions affected by these risks of snow during the day on Saturday.

Especially in the mountains

The risk of snowflakes and accumulations could last until Sunday. In Gaspésie, accumulations are also possible in the Chic-Chocs. As usual, the Laurentides wildlife reserve is particularly worth monitoring for your travels.

Only flakes

A second system will arrive from the United States. Certain areas of the south could therefore see a few snowflakes during the day on Monday. Estrie, Beauce, certain sectors of the Laurentians and Lanaudière could receive a few flakes, but we are not talking about real accumulations. The road could still be slippery, so caution will be required on the roads.

With the collaboration of Alexandra Giroux, meteorologist.

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