Quebec is preparing to reach the bottom

Heart of Winter

The heart of Quebec winter represents the coldest period of the year historically. Between January 6 and February 14, the mercury plunges. If this happens a few weeks after the solstice, it is because the atmosphere takes some time to react to the fact that the intensity of solar radiation reaches the lowest threshold. From January 20, La Belle Province should experience a particularly cold streak due to a descent of arctic air. In fact, this incursion of the polar vortex could generate the largest drop in mercury of the season.

Cold outbreak

Around January 19, the mercury should drop suddenly in southern Quebec. A dizzying drop of around 16°C in 24 hours could occur. At the start of the cold snap, highs could cross the -20°C threshold with pain and misery. For a long week, temperatures below seasonal norms are expected. This bitter cold streak could become the most intense of the winter.

Two weeks

For most regions of Quebec, the second portion of January represents the coldest fortnight of the year according to the average of the last 30 years. For Gaspésie and the North Shore, this period is somewhat delayed.

More or less cold

Montreal has not seen the mercury reach the threshold of -20°C since February 2023. Over the last five years, the coldest temperatures have mainly occurred during the second half of January. However, the peak of the cold was more often late than early. In 2020, February was particularly cold from the second week onwards.

With the collaboration of Patrick Duplessis, meteorologist.

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