Published on January 26, 2025 at 4:24 p.m.
Temperatures will plunge again this week. However, this new biting cold that is coming to Quebec is not without danger… Strong winds, blizzard conditions, zero visibility, possible power outages: it could cause trouble! Forecast.
The mercury is falling again
The clipper which will cross Quebec from Monday to Tuesday plans to be a little stronger than that of the weekend. Better organized with a good, dynamic cold front, this imposing system presents itself with several risks… This system is the one that must be pointed out as being the main responsible for the drop in temperatures. Indeed, as it crosses the Canadian Prairies, it will bring with it a big contrast in temperatures. From Monday afternoon, this cold will start to be felt. During the night from Monday to Tuesday and in the morning on Tuesday, areas north of the St. Lawrence valley will fall below the -15° to -20° mark and possibly down to -30°.
Veiled view: risk of snow squalls… and blizzards?
It is a rather violent system which will cross the Belle Province from Monday to Tuesday and one of its manifestations could prove quite dangerous on the road. But why do we keep saying this cold front is dangerous? Its interaction with the snow will be quite eventful… Monday evening, when the cold front begins to enter from the Abitibi side, we will be able to see snow squalls. These could be so strong that visibility would be zero for Abitibi and the areas going down to the Laurentians. This would then potentially be very dangerous for those on the road. Note that the greater Montreal region could also face moments of zero or very less visibility.
Blizzard conditions are not impossible. What are the criteria for the conditions forecast for Monday to Tuesday to qualify as a blizzard? Winds must be at least 40 km/h and visibility must be reduced to 400 m or less; all for four hours or more.
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Particularly active winds
Another important element to remember about the system from Monday to Tuesday is the strength of the winds. Ahead of the frontal system, the southwest winds channeled into the river are clearly something to watch out for! Gusts of 60 to 100 km/h cannot be ruled out. Significant power outages could be associated with the occurrence of these strong winds. The good news: once the cold front has finished its visit to Quebec, the winds will calm down. From Tuesday, they will change direction and begin to decrease in intensity.
Significant drop in temperatures, risk of snow squalls and zero visibility on the roads, very strong winds: when a cold front does not want to go incognito, it acts exactly like the one forecast in Quebec from Monday to Tuesday!
With the collaboration of Bertin Ossonon, meteorologist.
