Tuesday's weather cocktail threatens southern Quebec
A first weather cocktail, worthy of the name, of the fall will arrive in southern Quebec in time to disrupt the commutes on Tuesday
Tuesday promises to be a rather eventful day for the Gatineau to the Montreal regions in Quebec, which will find itself in the midst of its first weather cocktail of the season.
But exactly what kind of threats can they expect?
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The weather cocktail awaiting southern Quebec on Tuesday will be a special one as its effects will differ, even within the Montreal region. Initially, the weather is more or less the same for all sectors: Freezing rain beginning early morning.
However, with temperatures slightly below zero and approaching the freezing point in the late morning, rain could quickly take over for the southern parts of Montreal and Gatineau. In Montreal, the temperature will rise above freezing in the morning, so we'll be in rain rather than freezing rain mode.
Northern Montreal, on the other hand, will remain below freezing for longer, which means that freezing rain, as well as sleet and snow, will share the limelight.
Travelling in icy conditions
As a result, travel will be more difficult in the morning on Montreal's northern ring road. Rush hour may be more difficult, as some drivers have not yet put winter tires on their vehicles. The situation could persist for several hours, potentially until the early afternoon.
Since there is no snow on the ground in the south of the province, there will be no “cushion” to absorb the ice. That will make the situation even more dangerous on many surfaces. For example, while roads in the northern Montreal will be potentially slippery and icy, pedestrians in parts of Montreal that will be experiencing this episode of freezing rain will need to keep a particularly close eye on sidewalks and stairways.
Some roads, especially secondary roads, could also become slippery.
Snow brush or umbrella?
By Tuesday evening, a few flakes should be added to this precipitation party, once again over northern Montreal. Lachute could receive 5 cm of snow, while Blainville could receive 2 to 4 cm, and Laval less than 2 cm.
In the end, it's the umbrella that's likely to be more useful than the snow brush and scraper for areas farther south of Montreal. By Tuesday evening, 10 to 15 mm of rain is expected in the Montérégie region.
One positive point to remember in this weather cocktail: For most of the areas that will receive freezing rain, the temperature will then rise above the freezing point. On the island of Montreal and its southern ring, that should allow the ice to melt quickly afterwards.
Although this is not an ice storm, don't underestimate its impacts as there are possible travel risks on the road. The quantities of freezing rain received and the duration of the event are unlikely to be conducive to large accumulations on branches. That means we don't expect too many power outages, but some are possible.
This article was translated from MétéoMédia, The Weather Network’s Quebec-based sister station.
