‘Major storm’ on the way for Southern Quebec: Environment Canada

There’s a 30 percent chance of flurries Monday morning and feeling like -10 with the wind chill for the Montreal-area. But come Tuesday, “a major storm will begin…late in the day over Southern Quebec.” Environment Canada issuing a special weather statement.

They say, “precipitation will begin as snow before changing over to rain on Wednesday morning. A more or less extended period of freezing rain is possible during the transition.”  

The weather agency adds that strong winds also accompany the storm and dangerous driving conditions can be expected.

Environment Canada advising, “consider postponing or delaying any non-essential travel.”

“It’s the snowfall rate that is sometimes more important than the actual total snowfall,” says CityNews Chief Meteorologist, Natasha Ramsahai on the ‘major storm’ that is on the way for Southern Quebec on Tuesday.

“This system right now through the day on Monday has been really gaining strength across Texas and the four corner states of the U.S. It’s starting to pull up a whole lot of moisture from the Gulf of Mexico. So it is juicy, meaning there’s a lot of precipitation coming, but the type is going to change and it’s gonna vary depending on location. Once we start talking about the start time, it will be into the evening. So part of that afternoon commute on Tuesday is going to be a little bit tricky because the snow is going to start falling.”

Ramsahai says the good news and bad news with that, “the heaviest snowfall rates expected after about 7, 8 p.m. Although it’s still going to be pretty moderate snow through the afternoon, heaviest is falling through the evening hours. So sometimes when we talk about snowfall amounts, eight to 15 centimeters may not sound like a big deal, but if it falls within an hour or two, then it’s a big deal because snow ploughs don’t have a chance to catch up….Eight to 15 centimeters for Montreal, significantly higher amounts once we get up into the Laurentians, we could be talking about 30 to 40 centimeters of snow there.”

The City of Montreal tells CityNews that their “teams are hard at work in the field, making it easier to get around. Operations consist of clearing snow from roadways, sidewalks and bike paths, as well as spreading abrasives and ice melters to promote good traction. We would nevertheless like to remind the public to remain cautious, whatever their mode of travel, whether by vehicle, on foot or by bicycle.”

They add that they have “all the staff and equipment needed to ensure that operations run smoothly.”

There are over 10,000 kilometers of network that need to be cleared of snow in Montreal.

“Our routes are designed to give priority to clearing main arteries, hospital access roads, fire stations and school zones, as well as public transit routes.”

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