Published on December 20, 2024 at 10:40 p.m.
The suspense lasts until the last moment. Forecast.
On the lawn
Southern Quebec has not been spoiled when it comes to snow. Montreal, Montérégie, Outaouais, certain sectors of Estrie and Gaspésie and even Quebec have less than 5 cm on the ground at the time of writing these lines. Only four days left before Christmas: the suspense is therefore likely to last until the last moment. We know the criterion for determining a white Christmas in Quebec: at least 2 cm of snow on the ground on December 25 at 7 a.m.
Two systems
Between now and Christmas, the atmospheric context will feature cold temperatures, well below normal. Montreal could even touch -20°C overnight from Sunday to Monday. When a descent of arctic air invades Quebec, the situation becomes less conducive to significant snow accumulations. Moreover, two systems are expected to sweep the province over the next four days. A first disturbance could overflow and generate a few centimeters in certain areas to the south.
The real savior?
The second system could become that of major occasions. In fact, during the day on Tuesday, a clipper from Alberta could produce a few centimeters of snow. However, the trajectory taken by the depression remains uncertain. Consequently, accumulations could reach 5 cm or more in Montreal, Montérégie and Estrie, but the low pressure center also risks passing further south. If this is the case, the chances of accumulating a white carpet decrease.
White Christmas for everyone
With two life-saving systems, southern Quebec could measure 5 cm on the ground on December 25 in the early morning. With any luck, all regions would be entitled to a white Christmas which would be widespread for the province.
A rescue
If the White Christmas were confirmed in Montreal and Montérégie, it would be a last-minute rescue. This is not the first time that such a situation has arisen. Let's remember December 20, 2011 when Montreal, Trois-Rivières and Sherbrooke were on the pitch. One system had offered a white Christmas to all three cities at the last minute.
With the collaboration of Maxine Cloutier-Gervais, meteorologist.
