Coldest temperatures we’ve seen in years coming to Montreal

Brace yourself for bitter cold in the Montreal-area starting overnight Thursday. So far this winter, we’ve had milder than average temperatures and more snow than usual but this week that has changed.

Tuesday we experienced the coldest weather we received so far this winter, as temperatures dropped to minus 20. Wednesday and Thursday we will see a slight warm up, with a high of minus 7 and minus 2. But temperatures will drop again Thursday night.

A special weather statement is in effect for the Montreal area, Châteauguay – La Prairie, Laval and Longueuil – Varennes for snow squalls beginning on Thursday evening.

Environment Canada says “a vigorous cold front will cause snow squalls to develop on Thursday afternoon over the Abitibi-Témiscamigue before making its way toward Central and Southern Quebec. Strong gusty winds will accompany these conditions, causing near zero visibilities for a more or less extended period. These snow squalls will affect the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean and the St Lawrence Valley in the evening and the other regions south of the St Lawrence River overnight Thursday night.”

“In the wake of this cold front, temperatures will drop dramatically in a few hours. These temperatures combined with moderate to strong winds will generate extreme wind chill values on Friday and on Saturday.”

On Friday, we’re going to get the coldest weather we’ve seen in years in the Montreal-area.

Friday night the mercury will drop to minus 28 and it will be feel like minus 40 with the wind chill. That cold will stay Saturday, with temperatures around minus 20, feeling like minus 30 with the wind chill.

The last time the Montreal-area saw temperatures that cold during the day it was 2018.

The good news is the bitter cold won’t last. On Sunday, we will see temperatures above the freezing mark sitting at plus 1. Snow is also in the forecast – we could get 5 centimeters.

Smog warning

Before the bitter cold, Environment Canada also issued a smog warning on Wednesday, if effect for the Montreal area, Châteauguay – La Prairie, Laval, and Longueuil – Varennes. High concentration of pollutants are expected and will result in poor air quality, especially in urban areas where pollutant emissions are higher.

Environment Canada says “smog especially affects asthmatic children and people with respiratory ailments or heart disease. It is therefore recommended that these individuals avoid intense physical activity outdoors until the smog warning is lifted.”