Snow squall watch for Montreal as extreme cold moves in this weekend
Posted January 22, 2026 7:29 am.
Last Updated January 22, 2026 8:21 am.
Montrealers are being urged to brace for rapidly deteriorating travel conditions today as heavy flurries and snow squalls threaten near-zero visibility across the region.
Thursday starts with flurries at times heavy, raising the risk of snow squalls across southern and central Quebec. Local snowfall amounts near 5 centimetres are possible, driven by southwest winds at 30 km/h gusting to 60. Temperatures hold near minus–2 Celsius, with wind chills close to minus–12 C. Environment Canada has issued a yellow snow squall watch, warning that visibility could drop to near zero in blowing snow, making roads treacherous during the morning and evening commute.
Flurries taper off early Thursday night, giving way to partly cloudy skies. Gusty southwest winds continue, with temperatures falling to minus–12 C and wind chills plunging to minus–20 C overnight.
Friday brings a mix of sun and cloud, though flurries remain possible in the afternoon. West winds gusting to 40 km/h will keep wind chills near minus–20 C despite a high of minus–9 C. Clear and bitterly cold conditions follow Friday night, with lows near minus–23 C.
The cold persists into the weekend. Saturday is sunny but frigid, topping out near minus–18 C, with clear skies and another cold night. Sunday turns more active as snow develops, continuing into the night.
Periods of snow linger into Monday, with daytime highs moderating slightly to around minus–12 C before colder air returns overnight.
Forecasters warn snow squalls can create rapidly changing conditions, shifting from clear skies to heavy snow over just a few kilometres. Drivers are urged to prepare for sudden visibility reductions and rapidly accumulating snow as winter tightens its grip on the region.
