Tempete Neige Will Sweep Much of Quebec, Bringing Heavy Snow, Freezing Rain and Rapid Warm-Up
A major tempete neige is forecast to sweep across a large portion of Quebec beginning Sunday evening and persisting into Monday or Tuesday morning in some regions. Forecasts call for a mix of heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain, a brief warm-up that will change snow to rain in parts of the province, then a sharp return to very cold conditions.
Tempete Neige: Where Snow and Mixed Precipitation Are Expected
Forecasters say the system will produce primarily snow in northern sectors while the Saint Lawrence Valley, including the Greater Montreal area, and regions south of the river are more likely to see mainly rain. Snow accumulations are expected to vary widely by region: 20 to 50 cm in parts of Abitibi-Témiscamingue, 15 to 30 cm in the northwest of Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean and in Mauricie, and 5 to 10 cm in the Laurentians. Some model guidance indicates that parts of Abitibi could receive as much as 30 to 40 cm in localized areas.
Travel, Visibility and Wind Warnings
Environnement Canada warns that snow accompanied by gusts near 50 km/h in some areas could produce blowing snow and sudden reductions in visibility. Travel is expected to be difficult in the hardest-hit zones, with advisories noting that visibility may drop to near zero at times and that road closures are possible. More intense gusts have been mentioned for the southern portion of the province, raising concerns about the combined impacts of wind and precipitation on transportation.
Freezing Rain, Brief Redoux and Rapid Cold Return
The system is expected to bring a brief warm-up that will cause snow to change to rain in many regions. During that transition there is a risk of freezing rain, with one estimate calling for 2 to 5 mm of glaze at the surface. Commentary has also cited the potential for much heavier accumulations of freezing rain in the metropolitan region in some scenarios. Temperatures in parts of the province are forecast to rise above the freezing mark during the event, with readings possibly exceeding 10°C and even approaching 15°C in select southern areas, before plunging again. After the system passes, a sharp drop in temperatures is expected, with readings falling to as low as −20°C in some places on the night from Tuesday to Wednesday.
Officials stress that the combination of heavy snow in the north, mixed precipitation in central zones and a rapid temperature swing creates a complex weather situation. Residents in affected areas are being advised to prepare for difficult travel conditions, sudden visibility loss, and the possibility of hazardous freezing rain during the changeover from snow to rain. Further updates and specific regional advisories are expected as the system evolves.
