Published on December 20, 2024 at 12:47 p.m.
Will we have a white Christmas? The suspense lasts in southern Quebec, but for several sectors in the east of the province, the weekend will leave no doubt. Forecast.
Less cold but…
While the cold imposes its law on almost all of Quebec, a rather strong system will sweep across the east of the province, and it will be with a bang. The system will rapidly intensify over the Atlantic before making landfall in Nova Scotia and sweeping across eastern Quebec. Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and the Lower North Shore will be the most affected sectors, but the Magdalen Islands and the Gaspé Peninsula are also in line. of the system.
Weather bomb
The development of the system promises to be a gathering of ingredients for another weather bomb. Remember that this term describes an explosively developing depression with a drop in atmospheric pressure of at least 24 hectopascals in 24 hours or less. We can therefore observe a discreet system in the evening only to wake up to a storm the next day.
Up to 35 cm of snow
The system will bring precipitation in the form of snow, in very appreciable quantities in places. Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island should expect between 15 and 25 cm of snow. Similar quantities are expected in the Magdalen Islands. In Newfoundland, the west coast, in the Gros Morne National Park area, could receive up to 35 cm of snow. Similar quantities are expected around Blanc-Sablon. Environment Canada has also issued a winter storm watch for the North Shore between Natashquan and Blanc-Sablon. In Gaspésie, we expect between 10 and 20 cm of snow, particularly between Matane and Gaspé.
Black ice
The temperature will be near freezing. Parts of Newfoundland will therefore receive freezing rain. This is the case for the south-central portion of the island. Fortunately, there is only one road in this entire area. Unfortunately, it could be covered in ice on Saturday.
More than 90 km/h
The wind could complicate the situation on the North Shore and the Magdalen Islands. Although Madelinots are used to strong winds, when they carry large quantities of snow, it can reduce visibility significantly. Travel could therefore be difficult in the Islands all weekend. In the Blanc-Sablon sector, the situation will be similar. Gusts could well exceed 90 km/h.
A fragile white Christmas
Southern Quebec will avoid the worst and be touched by this imposing system. Bas-Saint-Laurent, Beauce and Estrie could see snow accumulations of between 3 and 5 cm. In the St. Lawrence Valley, we are talking about a maximum of 3 cm of snow accumulation on the ground. It is possible that this will be enough to declare a white Christmas in many sectors, but nothing is certain.
With the collaboration of Patrick Duplessis, meteorologist.
