Quebec: Prepare for travel impacts as system threatens 20 cm of snow
Colorado low sliding into Quebec could dump up to 20 cm of snow in the Montreal area through Sunday
Travel will remain difficult through Sunday across southern Quebec, thanks to a system that's bringing the heaviest snowfall to the province in weeks. The system will gradually track out of the province through the day, though leaving behind stiff winds that will make for blowing snow. Beyond the weekend, the week starts off cold, but with a warming trend toward the next weekend. What to expect, below.
WEATHER HIGHLIGHTS:
Snow lasts into Sunday morning, up to 20 cm for worst-hit areas.
Frigid temperatures linger into early next week
Stay up-to-date on the ALERTS in your area
SUNDAY: SNOW GRADUALLY ENDS, BLOWING SNOW LINGERS
The same Colorado low that made for a rough Saturday in neighbouring Ontario slammed Quebec as well, with its effects lasting somewhat longer than in its neighbour.
Snowfall totals of 15-20 cm through Sunday are likely for areas near the St. Lawrence and Montreal, with 10-15 cm for communities along the Ontario border and parts of the Eastern Townships, as well as extreme eastern portions of the province. Lesser amounts are expected as you head towards central Quebec.
Moderate to occasionally strong east winds will also cause local blowing snow into Sunday as well, mainly in exposed areas near the St. Lawrence and Ottawa valleys, though diminishing through the day.
In all the system tapers off to flurries west to east by the evening.
NEXT WEEK: COLD WILL BACK OFF IN SECOND HALF
The bitter cold will remain over the region into next week, but milder air will return in the latter half, pushing temperatures to above seasonal values by the end. It will remain fairly quiet during the week, but a potential system could approach Quebec by the weekend (Jan 25-26), possibly bringing another shot of wintry weather.
"At this point it looks like the final week of January will be milder than we were thinking a few days ago with temperatures near seasonal and possibly even above-seasonal for several days," says Weather Network meteorologist Dr. Doug Gillham.
Be sure to check back here for updates on these systems.