New winter storm to impact Quebec & Ontario for Christmas Day

With another 8 to 10cm of fresh snow falling in Montreal on Saturday, we are guaranteed a white Christmas. More snow, wind and cold is on the way this week, and right into 2018. (ValleyWX Photo)

Another winter storm will take aim at southern Ontario, New York and Quebec, as well as the New England states over the next 24 hours. The storm, currently developing south of the lower Great Lakes, will move across the Ohio Valley and off the Maine Coast by Monday afternoon. The heaviest snow will fall south of the St Lawrence River and into Atlantic Canada.

Snow will spread across southern Ontario on Christmas Eve, with 10 to 15cm expected from Windsor to Kingston. The snow will arrive in Montreal overnight and taper off late Christmas Day. Accumulations in southern Quebec will range from 5 to 10cm north of Montreal, 10 to 15cm in the city and just south of the river, and 25 to 35cm for Sherbrooke, the Eastern Townships, and along the Maine border. Expect more snow in the lee of the Great Lakes, with totals of up to 50cm by Wednesday. Winds will become a factor with this storm, especially as the system strengthens along the Atlantic Coast. Expect widespread blowing snow along the St Lawrence River Valley, with wind gusts up to 50km/h in Montreal, and 70km/h in Quebec City.

Winter Storm Warning
A winter storm warning is in effect for the greater Toronto area, all regions south of the St Lawrence River and the Townships. A blowing snow advisory is in effect for Quebec City. Regardless of whether or not your area is under a warning, travel on all highways Christmas Day will be challenging. This is especially true on both Highway 20 and 40, Highway 401, and Interstates 81, 87, 89, 91 and 93. Travel today if you can or wait until Tuesday. Frigid air will surge into southern Quebec behind the storm with high temperatures only reaching -18C (0F) by Thursday. Lake effect snow will impact western New York and portions of Ontario through the week.