Messy travel weather expected on Boxing Day

Most of southern Quebec will enjoy snow for Christmas this year. This is in stark contrast to the record warmth and snow less landscape in 2015.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, please drive safely.

Weak low pressure moved across southern Quebec on Saturday, with 2 to 5cm of wet snow across the region. Temperatures were very mild, above freezing near 3C (38F) in Montreal. High pressure will move into Quebec overnight, with clearing skies on Christmas Day, along with much colder temperatures, around -7C (19F).

Clouds are expected to increase Christmas night, it will be cold, with overnight lows near -14C (7F). By Monday, a strengthening winter storm will move from Colorado into the western Great Lakes and eventually central Quebec. This storm will produce very dangerous weather from northwest Ontario into southern Manitoba and the Dakotas. Blizzard conditions are forecast, with 70km/h winds and up to 30cm of snow into Boxing Day.

The storm will push a warm front into the St. Lawrence and Ottawa Valleys on Monday afternoon. After a very cold start to the day Monday, warm air will surge into the region. Precipitation will start in southern Ontario and spread into southern Quebec. At this time, Montreal and Ottawa can expect snow mixed with freezing rain Monday afternoon, changing to rain by Monday night, as the temperatures warms above freezing at the surface. On Tuesday, precipitation will end with dropping temperatures. Travel will likely be impacted in southern Quebec late Monday, with the potential for several hours of freezing rain. Weather warnings may be needed for a portion of our area. Further north, closer to the storm track, mainly snow will fall. Briefly looking ahead, Tuesday and Wednesday will be good for travelling, before another system brings snow on Thursday to Montreal.