Another round of strong winds for southern Quebec Sunday

Strong winds, up to 100km/h in parts of Quebec, cut power to over 100,000 Hydro-Quebec clients on Friday. The utility had over 500 crews working on the outages, and the number has since been reduced to 25,000. Another strong frontal boundary will produce wind gusts to 80km/h overnight and Sunday. (Hydro-Québec Photo)

NEW: YELLOW Snow Squall watch in effect for Montreal. Forecast Confidence: High / Impact Level: Moderate. Strong winds up to 80km/h are possible Sunday.

We just came off a wind event that resulted in power outages to over 100,000 Hydro-Quebec customers. As of Saturday evening, close to 25,000 remain without power in the province. On Friday, winds gusted between 80 and 90km/h in the Montreal region, and well over 100km/h in other parts of the province. The culprit was deep low pressure that moved well north of the Saint Lawrence Valley. A strong arctic boundary trailing from the front, was the focus for the fierce southwest and west winds along with some snow squalls and rapidly falling temperatures.

After a few hours of rare sunshine early Saturday morning, clouds are on the increase again as yet another clipper system passes north of Montreal. More flurries and strong winds are forecast for Saturday night and Sunday across southern Quebec and Ontario. (Valley Weather Photo)

In advance of the front, temperatures soared across southern Quebec, reaching a record-setting 12.6C (54F) in Montreal, smashing the 1979 record of 8.3C (47F). The warmth came in what had been to date, one of the coldest and snowiest starts to the winter season in decades in Montreal. But within hours, our entire snow cover is gone in the city, with just patches remaining. We may refresh the snow cover over the next couple of days and salvage a white Christmas here in the south, but that has yet to be seen.

Another strong wind event is on our doorstep as another clipper type system passes close to Montreal. Some wet snow or rain overnight, will transition to flurries and snow squalls Sunday as a cold front crosses the region. Once again strong west and southwest winds are likely in advance of and along the front, gusting between 50-80km/h. Temperatures will rise this evening up to and slightly above freezing, then dropping Sunday to -5C (23F) by the noon hour.

Some of the squalls that develop late tonight and early Sunday may be briefly intense, especially along the cold front. There is a chance for 2 to 5cm of snow locally. Roads may become icy and snow covered and visibility greatly reduced in the most intense squalls.

Skies clear out briefly late Sunday, before more weak clipper systems impact our region late Monday and Tuesday.

Wind warnings in effect for the Montreal region

Crews will get a brief break over the next 36 hours, as snow is replaced by rain and mild temperatures. A strong arctic front will plunge temperatures back below freezing Friday afternoon in Montreal, with strong winds and flurries forecast into Saturday morning. More snow is possible on Sunday.

Yellow Wind Warning for southern Quebec. Impact Level: Moderate / Forecast Confidence: High

Environment Canada has issued wind warnings for most of southern Quebec. Strong and gusty southwest winds will develop Thursday evening in advance of deep low pressure moving across northern Ontario into central Quebec. In advance of the storm, southwest winds will push very warm air into the St. Lawrence Valley into Friday morning. Winds will gust up to 70km/h. Temperatures will soar to well-above normal values of 8C (48F) on Friday morning. In a month that has been so cold, it is hard to believe we may have a record high on Friday. The current record is 8.3C (48F), set in 1949.

The surge of warm air will be short-lived as a powerful arctic front will cross the Montreal region during the afternoon hours. Temperatures will fall quickly behind the front on strong northwest winds, gusting up to 100km/h. The wind should ease by midnight. Winds this strong are capable of power outages and tree damage. Winds may even exceed 100km/h on the South Shore.

A steady soaking rain, up to 15mm is likely along the leading edge of the cold air Friday morning. There may even be a rumble or two of thunder in the St. Lawrence Valley. Behind the front, any leftover precipitation will change over to snow showers and flurries, with blowing snow possible for any locations that receive accumulations. The temperatures will fall well below freezing by evening, down to -10C (14F) by Saturday morning.

This storm has had a history of strong and damaging winds, from southern British Columbia across the Prairies and into northwestern Ontario. Power outages have been widespread, with even injuries and one fatality reported from the wind. In southern Saskatchewan and Manitoba, the wind was accompanied by heavy snow and plummeting temperatures, producing several hour of blizzard conditions, with numerous road closures.

The warm air on Friday will surge into the central portion of Quebec, but will only last a few hours. Heavy snow, blowing snow and dangerous cold will rapidly replace the warm air north of Montreal, as winter surges back into that region by Friday afternoon. Travel may become quite difficult in many parts of Ontario and Quebec Friday afternoon and evening.

Brief warming trend followed by cold weather through the holidays for Montreal

A snowy scene along Sennevile Road late last week. To date 60cm of snow has already fallen at Trudeau Airport since November 1st, and winter has not officially started. A warming trend this week will eat away at the snow pack, but it should be refreshed starting Saturday, as colder air returns. (Valley Weather)

The winter solstice does not occur until December 21st, regardless it certainly has been a cold, snowy stretch of weather for southern Quebec. Monday was another frigid morning, with -15C (5F) at Trudeau Airport, along with windchill values in the minus 20s. The bitterly cold weather will persist for one more day, before a significant, however brief warm up occurs. Enjoy the mild weather, as it appears our region will remain below freezing from Saturday through the end of the month.

It has been the winter of the clipper so far. Another series of weak clipper systems will impact the St. Lawrence valley and parts of Ontario and Quebec this week. On Monday and Tuesday we can expect flurries, with high temperatures in Montreal around -5C (23F).

By Wednesday, another weak area of low pressure is expected to pass north of the city, allowing warmer air to be drawn into our region. Highs are expected above freezing, 3C (38F), with flurries changing to showers.

On Thursday, a stronger low pressure will pass north of Montreal once again, with a steady rain possible. Gusty southwesterly winds will draw in even warmer air, with highs close to 5C (41F). The warm weather will come to abrupt end on Friday, as a strong cold front sweeps across the region. Rain will change to snow, accompanied by strong northwest winds. The timing of the front along with amount of precipitation will be determined at the event draws closer, but expect a difficult driving day for some regions at some point on Friday. Temperatures will fall from daytime highs of 5C (41F) down to -17C (2F) by Saturday morning.

The active, highly changeable weather this week may lead to icy, difficult road conditions at times. If you have travel plans listen for the latest forecasts and updates and for any weather warnings which may be issued later this week.

Snowfall Warning posted for southern Quebec

A few centimetres of  fluffy light snow overnight made for a slick Wednesday morning commute in Montreal. Like a broken record this month to date, there were numerous accidents reported. Roads will be in even worse shape for the Wednesday evening drive home, as moderate snow is forecast for the Montreal region. (Valley Weather)

 An Alberta Clipper storm system will slide across the Great Lakes on Wednesday and down the St. Lawrence Valley. An area of steady snow is currently approaching the Montreal region, with as much as 10cm expected over the next few hours. The snow will become lighter overnight and taper off on Thursday, with another 5-10cm possible.

Widespread snowfall warnings are in effect from southern Ontario into southern Quebec. On the backside of the low pressure, winds will increase sharply on Thursday, gusting up to 60km/h. The temperature will fall as well from early morning highs near the freezing point to -10C (14F) by afternoon. The gusty winds will produce areas of blowing snow, along with significant windchill values, into the minus 20s.

Travel was already difficult on Wednesday morning, with numerous accidents reported in the region. One accident closed Highway 50 near Mirabel in both directions. Roads will continue to be in poor shape during the Wednesday afternoon commute in Montreal, with moderate snow and icy road surfaces. In eastern Ontario, moderate snow resulted in most regions canceling school bus service.

Conditions should improve Thursday afternoon, but the weather will remain breezy and cold.

Throwback cold and snowy winter underway in Montreal

Winter has started early in Montreal this year, with below normal temperatures and frequent snowfalls. While accumulations have been light for the most part, the frequency of the snow is keeping roads slick and icy and road crews busy. (Valley Weather Photo)

It has been years since Montreal had below normal temperatures to start December, but that is what we have in 2025. The temperatures on Monday morning was a chilly -18C (0F), this after Friday mornings low of -19C (-2F) on Ile Perrot. To date 8.2cm of snow has fallen at Trudeau Airport, on top of the 28cm that fell in November. The monthly mean for November was 1.1C below normal, the first time in months we have had a below normal average. 

The cold temperatures combined with Sunday's snowfall left roads icy during the Monday morning commute. Once again, there have been a rash of serious accidents across the Montreal region, as drivers fail to respond to the road conditions. Reduce your speed, clean your vehicle off and make certain you have snow tires on, the law since December 1st here in Quebec.

The long-term average high/low for early December in Montreal, is -1C/-9C respectively.  The high in Montreal on Monday will only be -13C (9F), with windchill values in the minus 20s. We will see a slight moderation in temperatures midweek as a series of clipper systems moves from western Canada across the Great Lakes and just south of Montreal.

Two Alberta Clippers over the weekend managed to accumulate 5-10cm of snow across most parts of southern Quebec. More clipper type systems are expected this week, along with continued cold temperatures. (Valley Weather Photo)

The first in the series of low pressure systems will arrive late Tuesday, with a few light snow showers possible for southern Quebec. A stronger system arrives on Wednesday, with a period of steadier snow, perhaps 5-10cm, followed by another surge of cold air. The high on Tuesday and Wednesday will be between -1C and -3C (27F to 30F), before dropping back into the -10C range by Friday.

More snow is possible to end the week as yet another area of low pressure approaches from the Great Lakes. The good news so far is that most of these storm systems are expected to be on the weaker side.

One thing is certain, expect below normal temperatures to persist through the holidays.

Arctic cold front and snow squalls for Montreal

Snow squalls are expected Thursday across portions of southern Ontario and Quebec. The most intense squalls will occur closer to the Great Lakes in Ontario, and briefly along an arctic boundary expected during the pre-dawn hours in Montreal. Frigid air will pour into the region Thursday afternoon, with windchill values approaching -20C. (OPP Photo)

A strong cold front will slide across the St Lawrence Valley in the pre-dawn hours on Thursday morning, bringing with it some intense but brief snow showers along with plunging temperatures. In Montreal the front should arrive before the morning commute. Roads may become snow covered and icy in southern Quebec.

First off we have milder southwest winds Wednesday evening, that will push the temperature briefly above the freezing point. Already the cold front can be seen on radar over central Ontario. During the overnight, flurries should develop, enhanced locally by moisture from Lake Ontario funneling down the St. Lawrence Valley. The burst of snow arrives in the wee hours, followed by a rapid drop in temperatures for Montreal. 

Thursday's high will be reached in the early morning hours, dropping all day into the minus teens by supper. Adding to the cold, will be gusty northwest winds of 40-60 km/h. Wind chill values will drop into the minus 20s for may locations.

Only a centimetre or two of fresh snow is possible at any one location, but it will be enough to make roads slick, along with reduced visibility at times. Skies will clear out late Thursday, making for frigid overnight lows near -18C (0F) in Montreal and even colder north and west of the city.

Temperatures will moderate during the day on Friday up to -7C (19F), but more cold air and snow is expected by Sunday and into next week as winter takes hold across southern Quebec and eastern Ontario.

Cold, snowy week ahead - Meteorological Winter has arrived in Montreal

A strong cold front has ushered out the foggy damp weather from last week in Montreal and announced the arrival of Meteorological Winter. A cold, snowy pattern will become established for at least the upcoming week if not longer. (Valley Weather)

December 1st in Montreal, the unofficial start of the Holiday Season, the winter tire deadline and the official start to Meteorological Winter. The equinox will not occur until December 21st, but trust me winter is here.

On Sunday a few centimetres of wet snow fell in Montreal, which promptly froze overnight as a cold front swept across the region. Temperatures fell from above freezing around midnight, to current readings in the -6C (21F) range in Montreal. Gusty northwest winds of up to 50km/h have dropped wind chill values into the minus teens for the first time this season. High pressure will briefly build in today, but it will remain cold with steady temperatures. Sunday's snow brought an end to what was a wintry month in the city, with 28cm of snow falling.

Heavy lake effect snow over the last week resulted in dangerous driving conditions along with hundreds of accidents for many parts of southern and eastern Ontario. More snow is expected this week as a strong arctic boundary sweeps across Ontario and Quebec by Thursday. (Ontario Storm Reports)

Overnight into Tuesday, a deepening winter storm will move from the Ohio Valley across southern New England and off the eastern seaboard. Montreal will remain on the northern edge of the heaviest precipitation, with light snow expected for the city. Gusty northeast winds will make it feel very cold, with daytime highs around -4C (25F). At this time, only a couple of centimetres are expected for Montreal, with less to the north of the city and between 5 and 10cm along the US border. 

On Wednesday and arctic boundary will be approaching the region from Ontario. This front will deliver a round of snow flurries and squalls late Wednesday into Thursday morning, along with a reenforcing shot of cold air. Temperatures will drop into the minus teens for lows and only to -8C (18F) for a high on Thursday.

More snowy weather along with cold temperatures are expected for next weekend as winter takes hold in Montreal. While no major storms are on the horizon at this time, a bunch of smaller events will still create slick driving conditions at times. Winter is here! Give yourself extra time, clean off your car and bring patience with you when you leave your home and make certain you have winter tires on. Stay safe.