This January has been brutal so far in terms of temperatures, and we’re about to get lots of snow added to the mix over the coming weekend. Environment Canada is warning of an “intense winter storm” coming our way, although we may yet avoid the worst of it.
Over the weekend, anywhere from 12 to 21 centimetres of snow are expected to fall in Greater Montreal, most of it on Sunday. Strong Northerly winds will keep temperatures in the -20°C range in addition to the forecasted snow.
The good news is, this storm won’t hit Montreal as hard as initially forecasted – some reports claimed as much as 30 cm would fall on the region. The storm’s course has since changed and it looks like Eastern Quebec will be hit hardest. However, the storm is still quite unpredictable and a few days away, so things could change quickly.
A track a little further north could mean the occurrence of a major winter storm for all Southern Quebec, while a shift southward would spare these same regions. The scenario should evolve and become clearer over the next few days.
In short, stay informed about these weather conditions, as things could change rapidly. Most importantly, consider avoiding the roads, as the extreme cold and winds could make them very slippery.