Warm & wet Friday followed by a snowy weekend for Montreal

With close to 15cm of snow falling since the New Year started, the City of Montreal launched it's third snow loading campaign of the season earlier this week. Over 3000 workers and 2500 pieces of equipment are clearing the snowbanks from 11,000 kilometres of city streets. You can get more information at the 311 Montreal app.

As promised it has been an active weather week across southern Quebec. Since Sunday, close to 10cm of new snow has fallen in and around the city. The snow has mostly been of the nuisance variety, requiring more salt than plowing. Roads have been sloppy and with the warming temperatures, potholes are everywhere, some big enough to swallow your tires.

Thursday managed a warm high of 3C (38F) for Montreal despite the cloud cover and misty conditions. Friday will be warm as well, along with increasing southwest winds, that may reach 70km/h by the supper hour. Low pressure travelling well north of Montreal, will allow for highs to reach 7C to as warm as 10C (45 to 50F) across southern Quebec by late Friday. With temperatures well above freezing, we can expect rain to develop around midday along a frontal boundary. The rain will taper to showers in the evening. Gusty southwest and eventually west winds will reach between 30-50km/h increasing up to 70km/h late Friday.

Enough colder air returns for temperatures to drop to the freezing point overnight into Saturday morning. This will set the stage for the next system that will have a more wintry edge to it. Low pressure will move across the Great Lakes and begin to weaken Saturday night, as a secondary low develops over southern New England. That low will reestablish enough cold air here in the St. Lawrence Valley allowing all precipitation to fall mainly as snow, with perhaps some rain or freezing rain mixing in near the international border. 

The snow should start Saturday evening tapering off late Sunday. At this time, some models are showing a good 10cm for the Montreal region, but that could easily reach 15cm for some locations.

Conditions should improve for Monday along with slightly colder temperatures and highs near -2C (29F0. More unsettled weather and snow returns by Tuesday. 

Active weather week ahead for southern Quebec

The storms have not been large this winter, but frequent smaller snowfalls and frigid cold temperatures have managed to keep roads slippery and unpredictable, with many accidents occurring. This week will be challenging on the roads, with several storms impacting the province. (Transport Quebec)

We have an active weather week ahead for southern Quebec, with three separate systems impacting the region. Arctic high pressure to the north has been maintaining frigid air over the region since New Year's Eve. We will start to see a significant moderation in temperatures this week, but not before some wintry precipitation.

A weak clipper type system will pas southwest of Montreal Monday afternoon, producing light snow. As much as 5cm may fall, especially the closer you get to the Ontario, New York state borders. Temperatures will be cold in Montreal Monday, struggling to reach -12C (10F) along with light northerly winds.

A common scene on Ile Perrot this winter, with roads often snow covered from frequent smaller storms. (Valley Weather) 

A second stronger storm system will develop near Chicago on Tuesday and pass south of Montreal. This system will have more moisture to work with, so we are looking at flurries Tuesday afternoon, developing into a steady snow Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. At this time, we are looking at a good 10cm of snow for Montreal. The Wednesday morning commute could be difficult across the region.

The third storm this week will arrive late Thursday. This low pressure will track well north and west of the St. Lawrence Valley, allowing for a surge of very mild air into Montreal. Temperatures will rise well above freezing, possible as warm as 7C (45F) by Friday. As a result, the bulk of any precipitation would fall as rain, with perhaps a little freezing rain at the onset and flurries on the backside late Saturday or Sunday.

Temperatures as mentioned will warm to well above normal values for at least three days, with overnight lows above freezing Friday night. By Sunday, a cold front will move across the region, bringing us back to reality for mid January. Highs will fall back below freezing at -1C (30F) Sunday, with even colder air arriving next week.

Frigid start to 2026 in Montreal - warmer weather on the way

The frozen locks in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue on Saturday morning. The New Year has started off frigid, with some of the coldest air in the last two years over southern Quebec. (Valley Weather)

Happy New Year! 

It has certainly been a very cold start to 2026 across southern Quebec, in fact some of the coldest temperatures in the last two years. The overnight low at Trudeau Airport on Friday morning was -24.8C (-12.6F). In fact you have to go back to February 3 and 4, 2023 to find a colder temperature. The low temperature was a wee bit of a surprise, but that happens in the winter, when you have ideal radiational cooling, light winds, clear skies and fresh snowpack. The coldest low in all of 2025 at Trudeau Airport was -21.8C on February 2. Other parts of southern Quebec were even colder Friday morning, with -29.2 (-20.6F) recorded in Sherbrooke.

A fast-moving clipper system from the Great Lakes dumped a quick 10cm of snow on southern Quebec to ring in the New Year. By morning skies cleared leaving us with frigid temperatures and gusty winds. (Valley Weather Photo)

The cold followed yet another clipper system, the brought around 10cm of snow to southern Quebec New Year's Eve into the start of 2026. That storm deepened as it moved east of Montreal, producing heavy snow and blowing snow in eastern Quebec, with over 30cm across the Gaspe region.

The good news is there is a significant pattern change expected for the upcoming week. Before that, we can expect at least two more very cold nights. Some flurries occurred Saturday morning and a few more are possible on Sunday. High temperatures will struggle to reach -10C (14F) through Monday, with overnight lows close to -20C (-4F).

A stronger system arrives mid week, with some snow forecast. Behind that system, a pronounced southwest flow will develop, with warm and moist air arriving from the Gulf of Mexico by Thursday. The warmer air will be accompanied by a rain and snow mix, changing to all rain by Friday, as temperatures rise to a warm plus 5C (41F). Specific amounts, temperatures and timing will be fine tuned as the week moves along. Enjoy the warm weather as all indications are that the weather will turn cold again by the end of next weekend. After all it is January in Montreal!

The 28th Anniversary of the Ice Storm of 1998

Top: The view from my home in Verdun. Middle: Help would arrive from numerous states and provinces. Finally, over 16,000 Canadian Armed Forces troops would help in the relief efforts, remaining on the ground across the region for weeks. 

UPDATED January 3, 2026: This week marks the start of the great ice storm of 1998. Over a one week period, close to 100mm of freezing rain nearly destroyed the power grid here in southern Quebec and eastern Ontario. Widespread damage occurred, along with the deaths of at least 30 people. The complete story can be found here at The Suburban.

Happy New Year! Goodbye to a warm an dry 2025

The year will end on a breezy and cold note, with a few centimetres of light snow forecast for Montreal to ring in 2026. Roads and parking lots remain icy from Monday's rain and rapid freeze. Stay safe!(Valley Weather Photo)

On a personal note, I started Valley Weather in 1979, and blogging in 2005. I want to thank all of you who read my posts. I am so appreciative for your time. Wishing everyone a very happy, healthy and safe New Year.

The devil is always in the details when it comes to weather. I won't throw too many numbers at you, but it was basically a warm and dry 2025 for the most part across southwestern Quebec. There were some exceptions to that statement, but they were few and far between.

Winter was relatively easy, with the exception of the massive record-breaking three day snowstorm from February 13-16 that deposited 72.4cm of snow on Montreal. That single storm represented nearly 35 percent of the seasonal snowfall total of 205.9cm at Trudeau Airport.

Spring came quickly, with mainly warm and dry conditions from May through September. The city recorded 22 days over 30C (86F), including a 6 day heatwave in August that had high temperatures surpass 35C (95F) and humidex values well into the 40s. The long-term yearly average for frequency of 30C days in Montreal is only 10. 

The warmest high recorded at Trudeau Airport was on June 24 at 35.6C (96F). The coldest morning low both at Trudeau Airport and at my home here on Ile Perrot was February 2, at -21.8C (-7.2F) and -22.7C (-8.9F) respectively. 

The strongest gust of wind reported at Trudeau Airport was 96km/h on January 27. 

September was a record dry month, with only 33mm measured for the entire month, half of that falling on one day. Despite the dry weather, we did have some notable exceptions. We mentioned the massive February snowstorm. We also has another flash flood event in Montreal, when 81.6mm fell in a few hours on the afternoon of July 13, inundating homes and highways in the central part of the island. Halloween was also very wet, with 66mm falling on October 30/31. 

The long-term average for yearly rainfall at Trudeau Airport is 818.3mm. This year Montreal measured 749.2mm. While not too far from the normal, the majority of the rainfall fell in isolated events, with long periods of dry weather in between. June, August and September were dangerously dry, and July would have been as well, were it not for one thunderstorm on July 13. Water levels dropped to historic lows on rivers and lakes, and several municipalities began enforcing watering restrictions.

The year will end on a breezy, cold note. We also have another clipper system set to deliver 5-10cm of snow on New Year's Eve. The heaviest amounts will be southwest of Montreal along the New York State border, with less here in the city. The year will start on a cold note as temperatures struggle to reach -10C, with overnight lows in the minus 20s for many locations.

I look forward to the New Year. Sadly it will be without my trusted Bella by my side for the first time in 14 years. I miss her everyday, but her spirit remains with me.

Storm a little less intense for Montreal - that was good news

Crews take advantage of a few hours of above freezing temperatures on Monday to plow away the 10mm of ice that accumulated overnight on Ile Perrot. The Montreal region had a huge break, as less precipitation and warmer temperatures resulted in less ice buildup. (Valley Weather)

I was very concerned with the forecast Sunday. The storm that just deposited 10-15mm of freezing rain on southern Quebec looked quite intense, with a path that would result in prolonged freezing rain for Montreal, followed by very strong winds and frigid cold. The result would have been significant and long-lasting power outages for our region. The threat was real and the forecast credible.

In the end, the difference was a track a little further north, as well as a much stronger storm. The result was slightly warmer and drier air being pulled into the Montreal region, allowing the freezing rain to change over to rain sooner, and most of the ice melting off the trees before the wind arrived. It was a gift. Even with that, Hydro-Quebec reported over 20,000 customers left without power, as well there were several serious accidents. Ice coated roads, sidewalks and parking lots, resulting in emergency rooms being flooded with a spike in patients with broken bones from falls.

Treacherous driving conditions Monday morning resulted in several serious accidents, including this one on Highway 20 just west of Morgan Road. Transport Québec closed the highway late Monday evening into the wee hours Tuesday to remove the truck from the ditch. (Photo Stéphane Brunet - Urgence Vaudreuil)

This storm was a beast. The center is currently spinning over central Quebec, with a deep central pressure below 970mb. Snow is being measured in feet around the Great Lakes, along with winds that approached 100km/h. Numerous highways have been closed and travel is not recommended, including west of Toronto on Highways 401 and 402 and north into the Barrie region and areas east of Lake Huron. The same is true south of Lakes Erie and Ontario in Western New York.

In southern Quebec, Trudeau reported 10.8mm of freezing rain, with a peak wind of 72km/h. Winds gusted to 81km/h at Saint Hubert Airport. In Ontario, a 106km/h wind gust was observed at Point Petre on Lake Ontario, with waves of over 20 feet reported on the open waters of the Great Lakes. North of Montreal, 21cm of snow fell in Rouyn along with blizzard conditions. South of the border several rare tornadoes were observed in Illinois and Indiana.

Meanwhile in Montreal, it is just windy and cold. Winds have been gusting in the 50-70km/h range Tuesday, with temperatures hovering around -13C (8F), with windchill readings in the mid -20s. Flurries are possible along with frigid cold into the overnight and New Year's Eve.

Windy, icy storm underway for Montreal and southern Quebec

Freezing Rain Warning in effect for Montreal. Orange Warning: Impact High - Forecast Confidence High

Precipitation has been fairly light so far in the Montreal region, but has still accumulated several millimetres of ice on trees and roadways. More freezing rain is forecast Monday, along with strong to damaging southwest winds up to 90km/h Monday afternoon. Widespread weather warnings are in effect across Ontario, Quebec, New York and New England. (Valley Weather Photo)

Wind Warning in effect for the St. Lawrence Valley. Yellow Warning: Impact: Moderate - Forecast Confidence: High. Wind gusts to 90km/h possible.

Strong low pressure has deepened rapidly over the last 24 hours to a sub 975mb low near upper Michigan. The storm will continue to strengthen while lifting into central Quebec on Monday.

Precipitation has overspread southern Quebec along a trailing warm front early Monday morning, with several millimetres of ice accretion already occurring. Temperatures remain below freezing, near -3C (27F), and will slowly warm to the freezing point later today. More rain is moving in from the southwest early Monday, so we can expect several more hours of freezing rain, with up to 15mm possible for Montreal, and up to 25mm in parts of the Ottawa Valley. Well north of Montreal, heavy snow is expected, with 15-25cm forecast.

A strong cold front will move across the region late Monday afternoon, with much colder air surging in behind it. Temperatures will fall from highs of 1CV )33F) today down to -12C (10F) by Tuesday morning. Windchill values will plumet into the minus 20s.

Along the front, winds will gust from the southwest and west up to 90km/h in the St. Lawrence Valley. The combination of ice covered trees and hydro lines will result in the potential for significant power outages across the region Monday afternoon. Winds will increase by late afternoon and early evening, easing back to 50 to 70km/h overnight and Tuesday.

Any precipitation will change back over to light snow and blowing snow late Monday.

Expect very icy roads and sidewalks today, along with strong winds and sporadic power outages later today. As of 6:15AM Monday, around 4000 Hydro-Quebec clients have no power, most are in the Montérégie, where icy precipitation has been the heaviest so far. 

Travel is very slow and icy Monday morning. Slow down! Call ahead to Trudeau Airport, where some delays and cancelations are being reported, especially to other eastern Canadian locations where poor weather is already occurring.

Significant freezing rain forecast for Montreal

The combination of freezing rain and strong winds may result in significant power outages across portions of Ontario and Quebec from late Sunday into Monday evening. Up to 15mm of ice accretion is possible in the St. Lawrence Valley. (Hydro-Quebec Photo)

Orange Warning: Freezing Rain. Impact Level: High - Forecast Confidence: High

Strong low pressure will combine with arctic high pressure at the surface to produce and extended period of freezing rain across southwestern Quebec and eastern Ontario from late Sunday into late Monday afternoon. A warm front will be the focus of steady freezing rain along with gusty northeast winds in the St. Lawrence Valley.

Cold arctic high pressure will keep chilly air at the surface here in the St. Lawrence Valley, while a strengthening winter storm moves across the central Great Lakes towards Montreal. A second area of low pressure is forecast to develop south of Montreal on Monday. The combination of both these low pressure areas, will produce up to 15mm of ice accretion across the St. Lawrence Valley. Precipitation may briefly turn to rain across extreme southern areas on Monday, but it will be short in nature as cold air quickly returns.

Travel will be very difficult from late Sunday into the Monday morning commute. Roads and sidewalks will be extremely slippery. The weight of ice on trees and wires may produce significant disruptions to the power grid.

Temperatures will warm very slowly Sunday night, up to 0C (32F) on Monday. As the low moves to our east, a strong cold front will usher in freezing temperatures along with strong northwest winds in excess of 60km/h. Any leftover precipitation will end as snow and blowing snow Monday afternoon. The combination of ice and increasing northwest winds may result in additional power outages.

Plan now for dangerous travel and the risk of extended power outages. Much colder air will follow in the wake of the storm, with lows Monday night in Montreal as cold as -12C (14F). Temperatures will remain very cold into the New Year.