Widespread power outages caused by strong winds

Fierce southwest winds are blowing early Tuesday morning, gusting up to 90km/h at times. The winds have been causing widespread power outages, as well as knocking over signage and tree limbs. Blowing snow is also an issue in open areas. The winds should ease late this afternoon. (Valley Weather)

Wind warning posted for metro Montreal and southern Quebec.

The strong winter storm responsible for all the weather over the last 24 hours has swept a cold front across the Montreal region overnight. Behind the front, powerful southwest winds are gusting to 90km/h across the St. Lawrence Valley, and up to 120km/h in other parts of the province. 

Those winds knocked out power to more than 240,000 Hydro-Quebec customers as of 7:45AM, including 25,000 in Montreal. There are 902 individual breaks at this time, and with winds as strong as they are currently, restoration times are not available. Hydro-Quebec has 1100 workers addressing the outages.

Temperatures have been falling rapidly as well, from near-record highs of 14C (56F) on Monday afternoon, to current readings of -2C (29F), They will continue to drop to -8C (18F) by late in the day. Light rain changed to flurries around midnight, so there are some icy spots around. More snow flurries will move into the region this morning, along with some significant blowing snow in open areas.

Winds should ease back to 30-50km/h later this afternoon.

Use extreme caution today when travelling, especially walking. These winds are capable of knocking over signage, trees and power lines.