Freezing rain cuts power to over 300,000 Quebec homes

Widespread freezing rain across southern Quebec, produced massive power outages on Monday. Over 300,000 Hydro-Quebec customers were left in the dark and cold. The situation is only slightly better today. Utility crews have been brought in from other parts of the province. Above, crews work to restore power in Laval, north of Montreal. (CTV)

The winter that just won't end dealt southern Quebec another jolt yesterday, with a round of snow, strong winds and heavy freezing rain. More wintry precipitation is forecast today.

The late season ice storm cut power to over 300,000 southern Quebec homes from Laval north into the lower Laurentians and east towards Lanuadiere. Over 250,000 homes and businesses remain in the dark Tuesday morning as Hydro-Quebec scrambles to bring in crews from other parts of the province. The utility is working around the clock, but no estimate has been given for when power might be restored. The task is massive, with over 675 separate outages needing attention. Most schools in Laval and across the Laurentians have been closed today, with two warming shelters opened in Laval.

Tree damage along the north shore of Montreal. (Hydro-Quebec Photo)

On Monday, low pressure moved just south of Montreal producing over 15mm of freezing rain. Accompanying the frozen precipitation were winds in excess of 60km/h. Temperatures were just a touch colder north of the Island of Montreal, allowing the ice to accumulate rapidly on trees and power lines. Numerous branches made contact with hydro lines creating the massive power outage. Most regions south of Montreal, including at my home on L'Ile Perrot and across the south shore, were spared the freezing rain, with mostly liquid precipitation falling.

Hydro-Quebec is battling more wintry weather Tuesday as a second storm system slides south of the province. Additional weather warnings have been issued for the region for more freezing rain and up to 15cm of snow. The snow will spread into the region during the late morning and early afternoon.

Well below normal temperatures will prevail today, with a forecast high of only 1C (34F) in Montreal. The normal high should be 10C (50F) and the low 0C (32F).