Montreal braces for blustery cold as week ahead brings swings in temperature

Montrealers woke up to a crisp Sunday marked by clearing skies and a sharp bite in the air, as winter tightened its grip on the city to start the week.

According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, skies are expected to clear this morning, with winds becoming west at 20 kilometres per hour near noon. The high will reach minus-6 Celsius, but wind chill values will make it feel closer to minus-13 C this morning and minus-18 C this afternoon. The UV index will sit at 1, or low.

Tonight will turn partly cloudy, with west winds of 20 km/h gusting to 40. The overnight low will fall to minus-11 C, with a wind chill near minus-19 C.

Looking ahead to Monday, Montreal can expect a mix of sun and cloud. West winds at 20 km/h gusting to 40 will become light in the afternoon. The high will reach minus-7 C, with wind chill values near minus-19 C in the morning and minus-12 C in the afternoon. The UV index will remain at 1. Cloudy skies are expected Monday night, with a low of minus-8 C.

Tuesday will stay grey, with cloudy conditions and a high of minus-4 C. The night will bring cloudy skies and a 40 per cent chance of flurries, with temperatures holding near minus-4 C.

Midweek brings a notable shift. Wednesday is expected to be cloudy with a 30 per cent chance of showers and windy conditions. The high will climb to plus-3 C. Cloudy periods are forecast Wednesday night, with a low of minus-6 C.

Rain becomes more likely Thursday, with periods of rain and a high of plus-3 C. Rain is also expected Thursday night, with temperatures dipping to minus-2 C.

Colder air returns to end the workweek. Friday will see clearing skies and a high of minus-4 C, followed by increasing cloudiness at night and a sharp drop to minus-17 C.

The weekend wraps up with snow in the forecast. Saturday will bring periods of snow and a high of minus-3 C, closing out a week that delivers nearly the full range of December weather to Montreal.